Reading Plan:
Genesis 2
God’s Garden Author: Nikki Payton
As a teenager, I spent Saturday afternoons binge-watching "The Joy of Painting." Bob Ross, with his permed Afro, bell-bottomed jeans, and calming voice offered a meditative experience in watching him paint echelons of colors on a blank canvas. With sweeping movements of his paintbrush, he filled the backdrop with gradient hues. Twenty minutes into the process, he transformed the canvas to a landscape of rivers, “happy little trees”, and grassy meadows often leaning closer and closer to the canvas to blend in lush details. This is the best way to connect the bridge between yesterday’s reading in Genesis 1 to Genesis 2, our reading today.As an incomparable artist, God lays the foundation to deliver His Master Creation Plan in Genesis 1. He presents His grand vision for humankind in a chronological account with each new day presenting one substantial miracle after another. Light, time, stars, a vast array of life—plant, sea, animal, and human life all created in six days. Finally, God creates a sacred day of rest (Genesis 1-2:1-5). Yet, in Genesis 2, Eden is planted with meticulous, personal care, an extraordinarily appointed garden with choice specimens and the finest trees. The Artist, our Creator, zeros into His canvas to complete the finer details of his opulent garden. Rivers and natural springs that water Eden are overflowing with gold, onyx, and minerals (Genesis 2:6-14). Infused with the breath of God, Adam is given a tour of the Garden and introduced to the center of Eden where two important trees are already named: The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In God’s perfect love for Adam, he gives him “permission” before he gives him “restriction.” God shares with Adam that “he was free” to partake of all the fruit-bearing trees including The Tree of Life that would maintain his eternal perfect state, but The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil came with irreversible consequences (Genesis 2:18). Why would God place such a dangerous, forbidden tree in the garden? To give Adam an opportunity to “choose” God, just as He gives us the freedom to choose Him daily (2 Corinthians 3:17). In God’s garden, work is required. God brings Adam’s assignment to him, trumpeting all the species before Adam to observe, study, classify, and name (Genesis 2:19-20). When we are called to complete an assignment, God in His loving way will assist with the most difficult parts to ensure our achievement. He will not bring us to it without bringing us through it. Adam established the early animal kingdom and was promoted as lord over the Created Order. Up to this point, God blessed each stage of the creation process with “it is good” until He observes Adam in his work. God negatively assesses “it is not good” for Adam to continue in the garden alone. In His perfect and far-reaching love for Adam, God gifts him with a beautiful complement using Adam’s rib. God could have used any other part of the body to symbolize Adam would be lord over Eve, but He chooses a bone from his side to remind Adam that Eve was his equal in intelligence, personality, ethical, and moral sensitivity. Eve, his helper, would also be his equal. When Adam saw his bride for the first time, in his excitement of beholding her perfect beauty, he celebrated with poetic words, “At last. Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” (Genesis 2:18-23). The first family was nakedly, unashamedly in love for all eternity until… Stay tuned until tomorrow.
Reflection & Response:
- How can you creatively use your work, whether it’s your job, serving on the Impact Team, or daily chores to bring honor to God?
- Genesis 1:24 reveals that Adam and Eve were not ashamed of their nakedness. In your marriage or other relationships, how can you allow yourself to be more vulnerable?
Holy Father, the designer of our first family, we thank You for the gift of human relationships, the gift of work, and the gift of living life with purpose. We ask that You help us to be good stewards in our relationships at home, work, and church. Give us wisdom and courage to live a life of service. Let others see Your light and Your grace in all our relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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