Genesis 2:10-17 – Work and Rules
In comparison to all the amazing and beautiful land around it, Eden is still better. God takes care of His garden to keep it watered, and He takes care of Adam to make him happy. Our happiness can only be found in God who knows us, loves us, and takes care of us. God gives Adam a job to do – he is to take care of the garden. Paradise isn’t free from work; God hasn’t made us to do nothing. God has given us a body and soul to work with and a world to work on for His honour. Everything we do is to be done ultimately for God whether working in an office, a shop, keeping house, being a doctor, or teaching a Bible class. Work done for the glory of God pleases God no matter what the work is. Adam finds pleasure in doing the work God has for him to the best of his ability to bring honour to God.
God also gives Adam rules. He is not to live in Eden any way he wants, but he is under God’s laws. Adam has authority over the other creatures, but he is still under the Creator, and God has every right to make rules. God gives Adam the freedom to eat from every tree in the garden save one. This includes the tree of life, the most important tree of all because eating from it gives eternal life. If Adam is obedient and eats from all these trees except one, he will be assured of eternal life forever. But the penalty of disobedience is death, physical and eternal.
Questions
- What was Adam’s job?
- What rule did God make for Adam?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would look to God for our happiness.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters