The Aftermath 

My family and I went through Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 (which seems like a lifetime ago). But as we stood in my brother-in-law’s house in Baton Rouge listening to the radio talk about the levy breaking and floodwater was 10 ft into houses, we stood there in silence. In shock as our home could be washed away. I still remember those very sobering moments as we reflected on what we had just heard. 

These moments got me thinking about Adam and Eve, just this side of Eden. The only home they had ever known was now closed off to them. On top of that, they did something to get thrown out of Eden. I used the word “Thrown,” but the Bible used the word “Drove.” 

Genesis 3: 23-24 therefore, the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden, he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. 

As you can see, it was a little more than a hint… So get out and stay out! 

If we are honest with ourselves, we’ve all had our Garden of Eden moment when we fell victim to temptation. 

The Bible moves on Adam and Eve having children, but I could only imagine the conversations just this side of Eden. 

1. The Blame Game – why did you eat the fruit? It’s your fault we are out here. 
2. Now what? 
3. What do we do now?  
4. Should we wait to see if He changes His mind? 
5. Where do we go?  
6. Where will we live? 
7. What do we eat? 

I don’t know about you, but I would have made camp just down the road from Eden just in case. 

The team  

After everything settled, it was just Adam and Eve. There is a lesson to learn here: God gave us a helpmate, and we both need each other. 

While there may never be another Eden moment, there will be times when one will do something that needs the other’s forgiveness, encouragement, and support. 

1 Peter 4:8-10 

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 

After all, it was just Adam and Eve, and God had created a situation where both of them now needed each other more than ever. They would have to work and carve out a life that was suddenly very different from what they knew. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 

 Truth & Grace 

1. While we can read and pass judgment on Adam and Eve in the garden, we have the good news of the Gospel to wash away our sins. 

1. John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

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