Curse - Discovery 7 Gospel Studies

Curse - Discovery 7 Gospel StudiesIn this second booklet of the Discovery 7 series, we will focus our attention on the second chapter of the Biblical story, which, unlike the first, is not so happy: Curse. In this chapter, we discover the origins of the problem that plagues humanity and all creation. When God made the Garden of Eden, He filled it with many beautiful, fruit bearing trees, which were to provide Adam and Eve with delicious food to enjoy. Of these trees, however, two had

In this second booklet of the Discovery 7 series, we will focus our attention on the second chapter of the Biblical story, which, unlike the first, is not so happy: Curse. In this chapter, we discover the origins of the problem that plagues humanity and all creation. When God made the Garden of Eden, He filled it with many beautiful, fruit-bearing trees, which were to provide Adam and Eve with delicious food to enjoy. Of these trees, however, two had a special status, as represented by their position in the middle of the garden: The Òtree of life,Ó and the Òtree of the knowledge of good and evilÓ (Gen. 2:9). The tree of life was GodÕs chosen means for keeping human beings continually renewed with life; so long as people had access to this tree, they would not die. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, on the other hand, was off limits; so long as people acknowledged GodÕs authority by refraining from eating the fruit from this tree, they would be granted continued access to the tree of life. To eat from this second tree was to bring death. God had made a glorious world for humanity to enjoy, but this enjoyment was a privilege and gift, not an entitlement. From the outset God made it clear that failure to recognize and honor Him as God results in punishment; disobedience and rebellion lead to death. If Adam and Eve would humbly submit to GodÕs command, they would enjoy life in GodÕs glorious presence forever; if they did not, they would die and be banished from the land of the living. Which path would they choose? The path of life, or the path of death? The cloud of weeping, mourning, and grief that casts its shadow over grave sites and funeral processions around the world each day tells the answer.