Starting from the Garden of Eden, and continuing throughout our existence, God has repeatedly revealed to mankind His expectations, and the consequences of trespass against Him. He has clearly given rules to follow, and laws to abide by; First to Adam and Eve, then to every generation that has followed. He has also continually given us a clear and defined way out of sin, and back into a relationship with Him. In Leviticus, God “…established laws for proper covenant worship and for ritual cleansing. The use of (animal) blood … nothing less than life itself, (would atone) for sin” (Arnold & Beyer, 2008, p. 124). Ultimately, Jesus’s blood sacrifice on the cross paid the price of atonement for all of mankind. Blessing us with a path, free and
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He continues to show His benevolence, “God’s mercy appears in His continual sending of saviors and judges” (Clowney, 2013, p. 141) God continues to show us every day that we wake up, that He intends to keep the promise that, “The “seed” of the woman will crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15); man’s rebellion will be overruled.” (Clowney, 2013, p. 41), which He made to Eve. God continues to abide by every promise and covenant He has made to man, and for the most part, man continues to not listen, and live upon his own power and knowledge. It is, however, all a part of God’s plan. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, it has been God’s plan to allow us to find redemption and to give us choice. “Adam’s test in the garden points toward the testing of Christ, although Adam’s disobedience turns the parallel into contrast.” (Clowney, 2013, p. 29) I have to wonder if the all-knowing God hoped that Adam and Eve would listen, and not commit the sin, thus condemning all of humanity, and Himself, to this struggle. The flip side of is that if Adam and Eve had chosen differently, and not brought sin here, this place would, in turn, cease to be the learning ground that it is, for us as sentient beings. Yes, it would have been a paradise, but we have that waiting for us in heaven. When God made this place for us, He knew then what the outcome
He continues to show His benevolence, “God’s mercy appears in His continual sending of saviors and judges” (Clowney, 2013, p. 141) God continues to show us every day that we wake up, that He intends to keep the promise that, “The “seed” of the woman will crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15); man’s rebellion will be overruled.” (Clowney, 2013, p. 41), which He made to Eve. God continues to abide by every promise and covenant He has made to man, and for the most part, man continues to not listen, and live upon his own power and knowledge. It is, however, all a part of God’s plan. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, it has been God’s plan to allow us to find redemption and to give us choice. “Adam’s test in the garden points toward the testing of Christ, although Adam’s disobedience turns the parallel into contrast.” (Clowney, 2013, p. 29) I have to wonder if the all-knowing God hoped that Adam and Eve would listen, and not commit the sin, thus condemning all of humanity, and Himself, to this struggle. The flip side of is that if Adam and Eve had chosen differently, and not brought sin here, this place would, in turn, cease to be the learning ground that it is, for us as sentient beings. Yes, it would have been a paradise, but we have that waiting for us in heaven. When God made this place for us, He knew then what the outcome