Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 2: 8 (New Living Translation)

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.

As the (hi)story of the creation continues, we read that God the Creator planted a garden and put Adam in that place.

We see earlier in verses four and five, “When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth.”

The Garden of Eden did not exist. There were no food-providing plants on the earth. There were no homes on the earth. Hey, consider that, Adam was homeless. He was the only person on the planet, but he was homeless.

In addition to creating everything, God created a garden. God planted plants for food and planted plants for beauty. God was the first botanist. God was the first farmer. God was the first home builder.

Adam was along for the ride.

Hmmm, not much has changed. When we step back and look at things, God provides, and we are along for the ride. Sort of keeps us humble, or at least it should keep us humble. Most of us seem to struggle with that as we are so proud of our great accomplishments.

Please God, help me with humility. Help me in my unbelief. And thank you for showing us botany and farming and home building and everything else.