Genesis 2:8

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

From Background Notes [BN] for January 12^th & 13^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The Hebrew text carefully describes their presence in the garden this way: “Yahweh caused to sprout from the ground every tree: desirable to see and good to eat. And a tree of life in the middle of the garden. And a tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

 
Then a hiatus follows, describing the rivers which water the garden and the rich resources found there. Humans discover a fully-stocked ecosystem when they arrive in the garden. Whatever they need is present. They are simply asked “to work it and take care of it.” The Hebrew verbs include both cultivation and protection. The garden is God’s gift to the human race. The garden is the human race’s supreme responsibility before God. It’s as if God said to them, “Alright, then, humans, start here. Let’s see how you do. You should find everything you need to do your work. If you need anything, just ask.” Ask — but ask God, and don’t improvise.  [BN, 8]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am