Gardening or Goldmining? Genesis 1-3

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Gardening or Goldmining? Genesis 1-3

by Dr. Rob Debelak

With purpose and order, God plants a lush garden and places a steward there (2:8-9). Food supplies are abundant and accessible, except for one tree (2:1517). The man's new residence is complete with running water (2:10-14). A stream extends beyond Eden, winding through a land rich with gold that is good, aromatic resin, and onyx. A precious metal, a fragrant balm, and an exquisite stone—all valued for trade but non-consumable. These resources are quality but pale in comparison to God's Garden.

God favorably assesses His handiwork (1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31), though, a solitary deficiency is the man's loneliness (2:18). Creating the woman and their joyful uniting complete the chapter. Tragically, however, choosing the forbidden tree dishonors God's one command and results in judgment (Ch 3). Exposed, they play the blame game, but no one wins passing the buck for sin. God sentences the serpent, the woman, and the man; reserving access to another tree (the tree of life), He sends the unrepentant human pair from the garden (3:23-24).

Life in Eden enjoyed equality between the couple (1:27-31). Both bear the image of God, together they are blessed, and each shared responsibility in caring for creation. They were to be fruitful and multiply. Selfish desire, though, drew their hearts away from loving God preeminently. Blessings, transparency, joy, fellowship, provisions, shelter—all altered in a moment. Everything hinged on one prohibited tree. Embarrassed by transgression, they sewed leaves to cover their shame and hid among the foliage. Their subsequent efforts compounded the problem as layer upon layer of vegetation depicted the lengths people will go in futile attempts to bury guilt.

Living outside the garden is harsh. The woman endures painful childbearing (3:16); her children struggle against evil (3:15)—will they succumb to temptation as she had (Ch 4) or emerge victorious, despite affliction? She and her husband experience relationship issues (3:16). The man labors to put food on the table (3:17-19). There are resources (2:12), but life outside the garden is opposite the ideal; it is marked by sorrow, strife, and self-interest (Ch 4). The environment is cursed, tension-filled, and food more challenging to come by. In the end, death will take them to their graves. If only they had listened.

Life now is less than God's garden design. Echoing the judgments and characterizing human existence is pain (hard work, regardless of industry; 3:17), power (relationship tensions, reaching international levels; 3:16), and the insatiable pursuit of greed (distorting use of gold & precious resources; 2:12). Esteeming commodities (“...gold that is good”) of greater import than God's Word cheapens them. The silent symbols of Genesis 2:12 challenge us to examine if we are content to live outside the garden in a world of suffering and brokenness, preferring material things we value and potentially idolize.

Ignoring God settles for less, no matter how shiny or appealing the options. In contrast, the psalmist sings, the Lord's ordinances “...are more precious than gold, than much fine gold” (Ps 19:10). Despite arduous efforts to produce bread (food), life stems from every word originating with God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). Ultimately, Scripture's redemptive story anticipates the faithful returning to gardenlike beauty and restored relationships—a homecoming to a holy place where God still prioritizes a life-giving tree, reducing the human estimation of gold to building material and pavement: “...the leaves of the tree (of life) were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2) and “...and the street of the city was pure gold” (Revelation 21:21).

About The Author

Dr. Rob Debelak is associate professor of Bible in Lee University’s Online Program. He has taught at Lee University for 25 years, and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, TN.