Eve & Adam
a.k.a.
The Woman & the Man
Lectio Weekly Reading
Genesis 2:4-3:24
"Eden and East of Eden"
God plants a garden, and there he places the man he
created. God provides abundantly (river water) for
the garden, and assigns the man the duty of working in and caring for the garden. God
sets the stage for the scene to come with trees - lots of them, pleasing to the eyes and good for food. Two particular trees in the middle of the
garden get special mention: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil.
What does God say to the man?
God's first word is generous, positive, and permissive: “You are free to eat
from any tree in the garden!”
God's second word contains a word of warning about one of the trees: “But you must not eat from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
It’s not until this point of the story that God introduces another character
– the woman. Not long
after, a crafty creature (serpent) finds the woman alone in the garden and
asks her a question: “Did God really say you must not eat
from any tree in the garden?” Mind you, the woman wasn’t around when the
warning was given, so her understanding of what God said might have been second
hand, dependent on how accurately the man passed on the info.
The woman responds: “You must not eat from the tree in
the middle of the garden, and must not touch it, or you will surely die.” Partly right: original = “not eat;” Add-on to
the original = “not touch.” Remember, we don’t know if this free-styling is the
woman’s or the man’s doing.
The serpent casts doubt on God’s statement of
consequences: “Surely you won’t die, but your eyes will be opened and you’ll be
like God, knowing good and evil.” Once
again, perhaps partly right. The dying part…it will probably happen (perhaps in
a different way than anticipated). But
the serpent may be right about eyes being opened and being like God, yet that status comes with a heavy burden or curse.
The woman eats fruit from that one tree, then shares it with her husband. They experience shame. They cover their
nakedness. They hide from God.
The Tragic Flaw – Hamartia
Discontentment: Focusing
on what they don’t have, rather than on what they do have.
It’s a gross understatement to say that volumes have been
written about the tragic flaws of the first two human being in the garden in
Genesis 2-3. This is the root story of
the human tragedy as described by the Judeo-Christian tradition! At the risk of oversimplification, here’s a possible
tragic flaw of the first man and woman: they are obsessed with the forbidden…in
an orchard full of free fruit!
Have you ever heard the saying “The grass is always
greener on the other side?” If so, does
it make sense of something you’ve observed in yourself or others? Where do we see the tragic flaw of obsession
with the forbidden in the midst of abundant provision?
- You’re out to lunch and the salad bar is overflowing with fresh vegetables and fruit. You notice the rich desserts at the end of the bar and you take a step in that direction, foregoing the bounty in front of you…and the obsession begins.
- You enjoy using a particular electronic gadget – phone, tablet, etc. But then a television commercial tells you that the new version is on store shelves…and the obsession begins.
- You enjoy your job because it provides an adequate salary along with plenty of time with family. But then that new position opens up – more money, less time with family…and the obsession begins.
- You enjoy a great “life of intimacy” with your spouse. But then you notice that person and something gets ahold of you…and the obsession begins.
Does this tragic flaw show up in your story?
Where does it show up?
How do you deal with it?
Prayer of Confession
God, why do I so easily overlook what you provide in my
life while obsessing about what I don’t have? I’m sorry for ...- Taking for granted the gifts that you give
- Not being grateful for the people you’ve placed in my life
- Focusing on what I don’t have rather than on what I do have
Amen.
Develop Contentment through Thanksgiving
Thank God for as much as you can. What God provides, enjoy to the fullest. In Adam & Eve language, “Eat your fill of
free fruit.” Keep track of how often “taken-for-granted” moments happen. Document each blessing in a list or a journal
(or on Facebook?). Take a photo. Form a collage. Write a poem of appreciation. Make
a running list with two columns, one for “What I don’t have that I want” and
one for “What I have that I don’t appreciate.” Focus on the second column.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living
in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Possible Additional Tragic Flaws?
Creatively Retelling of God’s Rules
Did you notice how often God’s rules are mentioned, and
how often they are retold wrongly?
Little changes end up making a big difference. How do we stay close to the original word?
Responding to Shame by Hiding
The result of the fall involves falling from grace
farther than God likely had in mind. Shame
enters into the picture and gets us thinking that God’s judgment is harsher
than it may actually be. When we fail,
we bail on the relationship with God instead of letting ourselves be loved back into wholeness.
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