Sunday, March 1, 2020

Adam's Test (Gen. 2:16-17)


SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 01/23/2006


My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  Adams Test

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Genesis 2:16-17

            Message of the verse:  “16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17  but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.’”
           
            I will visit the outcome of what these two verses have said at a later date, when chapter three, and the fall of man are discussed.  Dr. Wiersbe calls this a covenant between God and Adam, but he also calls it a test, and that is how I understand it.  If Adam were to pass the test he would be blessed of God and failure would bring about judgment.

            I cannot answer the question why God gave this test to Adam, for there are many suggestions to the answers for it, and I am sure that God has the only right ones.  I wonder if Adam would have gone right to the tree of life and ate of it if that would have meant that he would have passed this test?  These two verses describe what it is that Adam cannot do, and what he can do, and there is a lot more to do which will bring about blessing, than not do and bring about judgment.

            3/1/2020 7:15 AM  I have to say that there is not a person alive who would have passed this test, for the “tempter” is more powerful than any person who does not have the Spirit of God in them.  I want to say also that I think that it was in the plan and foreknowledge of God that Adam not pass this test, and here is where some difficult things come into play.  God had only one plan and did not have to deal with another plan if Adam failed this test, for He knew that he would fail, and therefore it was in His plan that he failed this test.  I believe that one of the reasons that Adam failed this test is because this would bring about some of God’s attributes that were never seen before the creation of man.  Attributes like God’s justice for one thing and there are others too like His longsuffering, His grace and forgiveness among a few of them.  I once heard a sermon by Erin Lutizer where he stated in a question “Would you want to worship a God who has an A and B plan.”  I for one would not like that.  3/1/2020 7:21 AM

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Ever since I was a child going to school I have not liked tests, but my Heavenly Father is the giver of tests and he is giving me one at this time of my life and just like Adam, if I pass the test I will receive a blessing.  If I do not trust the Lord I do not believe that I will receive a blessing.  I do believe that God gives me tests to make me better and not bitter, and that like Job, I need to learn patience and trust the Lord who will work things out for good for me as He promises and for His glory.

The Word of God has challenged me as I read and studied it this morning.

 My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to trust the Lord as I go through the tests of life that He sees fit to bring my way in order to make me more like His Son, and to continue to trust the Lord to direct my steps and to teach me contentment.

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