I went to my new bible study on Tuesday night. The study is going through the book of Genesis and I am enjoying being back in the Word on a regular basis. Last week I was not able to go for the teaching on the first chapter of our lesson, and I realized that I missed some important things that came out of it. I need to go back and finish the parts of the lesson that I did not do at home.
Although I am enjoying the study, I do have some questions. Most of my questions are about some of the things that the leader said or things that were stated in the written part of our lesson. My question, or issue, that I have is that these "things" were represented as fact. If they had been conveyed as supposition or theory then it would be easier for me to accept. However, these statements are not by any means salvational issues, they do not change who God is or what Christ has done for us.
So, you must be wondering what my questions are. Ok, here they are:
- What exactly was Adam's job in the garden?
- Were there restrictions on what was allowed in the garden? The leader stated that wild animals were to be outside the garden, and domesticated animals were allowed inside. She said that because Adam was not doing his job that the snake was able to come into the garden and tempt Eve. I don't recall reading that in the bible! If this is true then the fall of man began when Adam slacked on the job.
- Did animals, or humans, eat meat before the fall? It came out in discussion time, and in the questions for this weeks lesson, that meat had not yet been used for food. I realize that the first time a sacrifice is recorded in scripture was when God provided clothing for Adam and Eve by using animal skin. Does this mean that it is the first time an animal died?
I do need to go back and read through the notes and material that I missed last week, and I will. However, please feel free to answer any of my questions if you have a better understanding than I. I do ask that if you respond to the questions that you be able to back it up with scripture. That is the issue I am having with these statements, I can not see where it can be supported elsewhere in the bible. If that is the case then these things are not necessarily true, they may be good ideas of what it may have been like, but not necessarily fact.
I am interested hear your ideas and thoughts.
3 comments:
My book club (not really mine, but the one I go to) read a really interesting book about the Garden of Eden earlier this year, called The Savior and the Serpent. It is definately LDS based, so probably not what you're looking for, but I found it fascinating.
Here are some of my uneducated/personal opinions: Adam's job was to name the animals and dress the garden. I think both wild and tame were there. I think Adam learned how to be a farmer and a rancher in the garden - because when he left the garden he had to be able to support his family (though I'm sure it was an easier job in the garden.) I don't think they just sat around or anything, I think they worked and learned. And I don't think anything died before the fall, including animals.
Adam and Eve were told that they could eat all kinds of fruit (except one) and I think that's what they ate. I think in the millinium it will be the same - the lion will lie down with the lamb and we will not kill animals for our food. The skins of the animals were not provided until after the fall, so maybe those animals were the first to die (I hadn't thought of that.)
I love reading about other people's bible study groups - one of the blogs I love is writted by a Jew in Isreal and she sometimes writes out what her study group is discussing. Cool!
Hey Deanne - Great questions...in BSF last year we studied Genesis, I am kicking myself now that I did not save my notes. Oh well.
With some help from "Matthew Henry Commentary" this is what I have discovered. Genesis 1:29 states that God gave Adam and Eve "every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it" to eat. Therefore, I believe they were vegetarians. In Gen 9:3 God tells Noah "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." I'm guessing this would be the first time permission was given to eat meat.
Reading this again, makes me wonder...Did the animals only eat plants/fruit? In Gen. 1:30 God states "Everything that has the breath of life in it" (that would include animals) "I give every green plant for food" If this is the case, then the animals killed for clothing would most likely have been the first to die. It's all very interesting to think about.
Thank you for your insight, both of you. I will have to look up those verses!
D
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