Independence Day

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” ESV Genesis 3:6

Adam and Eve experienced an Independence Day of their own, but it was not a day to be celebrated nor recalled with fondness for years to come. No, their independence came through disobedience and separated them from the Creator of heaven and earth.

God was wrapping up His work in creation when the unfortunate day arrived. He had created the world, formed it, shaped it, and populated it with plants and animals. He had given Adam special dominion over the animals, even allowing him to name them, and prepared a special piece of land (garden of Eden) for him to keep. The final touch would be the creation of a suitable helpmate for Adam and of course we know that’s when God created Eve. Creation was finished and it was good.

Now, God had not placed a lot of burdensome rules and restrictions on Adam. We’re told simply that Adam was to “keep” the Garden. As a matter of fact, it seems Adam was given great liberty and freedom to eat of any tree in the Garden, all of which were pleasing to the eye and fruit bearing, with one exception; “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God assured Adam that eating from the forbidden tree would surely bring death.

Why do you suppose God gave any restrictions to Adam? Scripture seems to be silent on the issue, but perhaps it was to allow Adam and Eve to freely demonstrate obedience to God. Regardless, Adam and Eve transgressed God’s command. They exercised their freedom, and “independence” if you will, by disobeying God and eating the fruit.

Of course, the inevitable came to pass. God, true to his word as always, caused Adam, Eve and all of mankind to experience death. Paul would later write to the Romans, “...just as sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned..” (Romans 5:12).

Before you cast too many stones at Adam and Eve for their disobedience that had such far-reaching consequences perhaps a little introspection is in order. Jesus said all the commandments could be surmised: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all our mind’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39). How obedient are you to these simple commands?

Why don’t you exercise your dependence today? Honor God by honoring is straightforward commands.