Paradise on Earth

Genesis 2:4-25

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?  The Garden of Eden would be a good choice, wouldn't it?  What a paradise God created for Adam and Eve!  And he only had one rule:  don't eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We know how that turned out, don't we?  But today, let's focus on these verses that describe how God made the first man and woman.

How he created man:  'God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (2:7).'

How he created woman (after Adam named all the living creatures, none of them was a 'suitable helper.')  'So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man (v. 21-22).'

God said "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him."  (v. 18).  Now we could spend our time talking about how, since man was created before woman, he is superior.  Or why,  since woman was created last, she is the pinnacle of creation.  But I don't think that's the point here.  The point is that "it is not good for the man to be alone."  We need each other.  In this case, scripture is referring to marriage, as verse 24 indicates:

"for this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

But in the larger sense, we are designed to be in community with one another.  God gave Adam a paradise on earth:  Eden.  He gave him the responsibility to take care of this beautiful place, and Adam had the privilege of naming every animal in the Garden.  He had a huge job!  But that wasn't enough:  it is not good for the man to be alone.

For those of us who are married, thank God for your spouse!  Continue to strengthen your marriage and find ways to grow in love and service to others.  For those who are single, know that God is in control of your life and your relationships, and lean on him when you are lonely. 

Our faith is meant to be lived out in community.  Jesus says 'where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them (Matthew 18:20).'  Find a small group.  Share a meal with a Christian friend.  Worship regularly.  Find a way to serve.

Thank you, Lord, that you created us male and female, and you created us to live in community.  You know what I need, and you will provide for my every desire when I ask in your name.  Amen.