Christians | Manningtree Archive

Part I (in 3 parts)

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26)

Time is always on the run. As for now, let me take the privilege to rewind it to take you to the very infancy of the world – to that ancient time when the first parents who stood at the head of the human race lived care-free in the majestic Garden of Eden, that sacred place stated in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible which is the Book of all beginnings. Purportedly written by Moses, the Book of Genesis tells about how the world came into existence and life actually began.

Predominantly evergreen, the colour that represented hope and new life, the Garden of Eden was reputedly the terrestrial paradise that God planted eastward from Canaan, in Eden. An emblem of the heavenly state, this garden probably lay not far from the ancient Babylon, where the rivers Euphrates on the west, and Hiddekel, or Tigris (which goes toward the east of Assyria) on the east, joined into one and watered it. These waters, after running a little southward, parted into the two streams of Gihon (extent the whole land of Ethiopia) on the east, and onto Pison (extent the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold) on the West. However, the abundant literature on the subject does not lead to a definite answer to the garden’s location.

Human race certainly had a beginning. Science tells us about the evolution of man in variations such as: First Primate (Forerunner of Man); Java Man (about 1,000,000 B.C); Peking Man (about 750,000 B.C); Heidelberg Man (about 500,000 B.C); Neanderthal Man (about 100,000 B.C) with whom our cultural history begins and the formation of Homo sapiens (about 50,000 B.C) which is our own species. In all likelihood there was a first of the species Homo sapiens of the earth, earthy, who once stood at the head of the human race. Adam or whatever his name was, his blood flows in the veins of every living human being belonging to the same species on earth today, as the Bible clearly expresses it.

According to the Book of Genesis, God formed man’s body of the dust of the ground with most exquisite art and skill and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living rational soul. This being our Creator’s greatest achievement, His creation was a human person from the earth, capable of exercising the functions of all sorts of life, although he lacked the Holy Spirit. It was in the very Paradise of God where the Bible says, the first man Adam was graciously placed.

Based on the Old Testament, it is uncomplicated to fathom how the garden of Eden’s image is subliminally imbued in the minds and hearts of the Christians at large. The Bible disclose that, this well-watered Garden of Eden which had a luxuriant natural vegetation, where grew every tree that is pleasant to the sight, was decked and enriched with every choice of precious fruits good for food – the inference being Garden of Eden is a magical place – peaceful.

Amidst the garden stood the principal tree of life, so called because of the invigorating nature of its fruit; and it was made a sacramental pledge of man’s eternal life in heaven, provided he kept the covenant which God made with him. Besides the tree of life, therein was the tree of knowledge of good and evil, so called because, by its fruit God, manifesting his supreme authority, tried Adam’s perfect obedience: for in the day that he eat from it, he shall surely die.

On the word of the Bible, God knew that a help meet for man is essential, since it is not good that the man should be alone. The intended female must be suitable to his nature, useful on all occasions for their mutual comfort, and the propagation of their species.

God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and as he slept, a female was brought forth from one of the ribs of Adam. He endowed her, as He did Adam, with power of thought, speech and endless life. Once brought her to Adam to honour the institution of marriage, to Adam she was the bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. He called her ‘Woman’ (îsshâh), because she was taken out of Man.

Jo (Continued in Part II: Speak of The Devil…)

Dedicated to my late wife Renate Elisabeth Simeon (Carina) who took me out of the woods and showed me the trees.