Genesis 2:15 says:
When God created the man and placed him in the
garden of Eden He gave him two key responsibilities:
- To work it - by that He means to cultivate or take care of it.
- To keep it - that is to guard it.
Adam was given a very specific task. When he failed to obey God he missed out on
what the LORD had to offer him. As a
result of his failure to trust and obey the LORD, Adam lost the blessing and
reward of living with God in unbroken fellowship. He sacrificed the privilege and honor that
was bestowed upon him for nothing more than a fruit. The deal the serpent made with him was for
him to forsake eternal satisfaction for a temporary pleasure.
Adam sold his birthright, in one sense, to the deceiver
for something to eat — much like Esau did with Jacob[2]. God indeed had a wonderful plan for Adam’s
life and had called him to be faithful with what was given to him. However, because he failed to acknowledge God[3]
and function appropriately in his God-given role as the spiritual head, God
gave his responsibility to others — the cherubim[4].
What is revealed later on in the book of Ezekiel is
the fact that this crafty serpent (Satan) was himself an anointed cherub[5] of
God until, like Adam, he left his God-ordained purpose in order to define his
own reality. Both of these individuals
are perfect examples of beings created in honor and splendor, yet who chose to
openly reject their Creator God and become their own authority.
The truth that is revealed in these two examples is
the fact that there is no such thing as private sin. All sin is like shrapnel from a bomb blown in
every direction. Other people are always
affected. The serpent’s sin resulted in
a third of the angels rebelling against God[6]
and Adam’s sin brought about the physical and spiritual death to all of his
descendants[7].
How are you doing in the areas of your life?
How are you doing in the areas of your life?
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