From the very beginning of time, God longed to have fellowship with us. Starting in Genesis.
“God took man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to care for it. God said to Adam, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:15-18 NIV
Reading further, The man and his wife were both naked and they had no shame. Genesis 2:25
Picture this…
A lush green garden with beautifully scented flowers and trees, a brook flowing smoothly over the rocks down through the middle of the garden. Birds chirping, maybe an animal passing by just to say “Hello!”
Well, that might be a bit extreme. But that’s my picture of Eden.
Hanging out with God.
A peaceful place.
No spiders! Just a talking snake. (At least, I’d like to think there weren’t any spiders!)
And this is where we will begin. Genesis chapter 3.
The Bible tells us that the serpent was more crafty than the other wild animals. As the couple stood looking at the tree of knowledge of good and evil, I would imagine Adam might have said, “Woman, we can’t eat this.”
Then the serpent popped his head around and said, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” v1b.
The woman replied, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, not from the tree in the middle of the garden or you will surely die.”
The serpent told them, “You will not die, for God knows when you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” (Note just how sneaky the serpent/enemy is!)
She took a bite and handed it right to her husband. Their eyes were opened, they saw they were naked. They knew at that moment it they had messed up.
God was walking through the garden calling for them. Adam and Eve hid from God, (as if you can hide from God) And so the curse of sin began.
BUT God had a plan
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers: he will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.
This verse is known as the First promise of God’s redemptive plan. Christ would be born of a woman, He will be “struck” through His heel, crucified and will rise to destroy Satan, sin and death for Our Salvation. WOW!
After this happened… Genesis 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for them to wear.
God took an animal, killed it and made clothes for Adam & Eve. This was the first blood sacrifice made for sin.
I hope you will join me these next few weeks as we go through the scripture and Jewish tradition to find Christ, The Messiah in the Passover.
My husband and I have celebrated the Passover Seder* for over 30 years. I had been a Christ follower for many years; but when I started to understand Christ in the Passover, it totally changed my relationship with Jesus and my understanding of what He did for us.
Take a couple of minutes and read my blog post 5 Things about Jesus’ birth you may not have known. As I continue to explain the Passover symbols, you will see it all come together. Be watching for part 2 of this series this coming Monday.
Father,
Thank You for showing us through the generations your Love for us and that You do NOT want anyone to perish but, to have Life with You. — Amen
God loved the world: He gave His own son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Blessings,
Deb Cool
It is not my Heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish Matthew 18:14
*Seder is a ceremonial dinner for Passover.
Deb Cool is passionate about Jesus and women’s ministry. She currently leads a women’s small group through her church, LCBC Waynesboro.
Deb has been married for 42 years to the love of her life, Rodney. They have awesome sons whom have beautiful wives. And they are blessed with eight amazing grandchildren.
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