Genesis 2:1-25 continuing…

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” Genesis 2:16-17.

The very first commandment is given by LORD God to the man and his wife. Adam was put by God into the garden for and with a purpose. Part of that purpose was to guard and till the garden. It needed guarded from the onslaughts of the devil. Adam’s family needed guarding also. It seems uncertain whether Adam was aware of a devil or not, but God was aware, and guarding seems implied by the words, “To keep”. In other words Adam was to be alert, and “On his toes”. The LORD God was warning Adam to pay attention – even in this time of innocency.

Adam was free to eat of every fruit, herb, and vegetable in the garden with the exception of one. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was the exception. The law God gave Adam was, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (v. 17). This is still part of the first covenant which began in chapter one verse 28. Death is something Adam would have known nothing about. All around him was life, beauty, health, and wealth. He seemed to have no worry or problems.

“Where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15). If we were to take away the laws of the land and the laws of God, then let everyone live like they wanted there would be no transgressors – no lawbreakers. Everyone would remain innocent; even in cases of killing another, or imagine what you will.

Adam was given one law to obey. He would not remain innocent, nor guiltless. Neither are you or I.