The Biblical concept of creation is based on faith in a God (Elohim) that was and is the only one capable of creating and running a world that is beyond human grasp. The Biblical names of God are human attempts to glorify the Creator for certain parts of His handwork. In fact, man himself must have faith that he too can fit into God’s design here on earth (Hebrews 11:3, 6). The heavens only can declare the glory of God and man remains astounded why God makes such a fuss about him (Psalms 19:1; 8:1-9). God, most definitely, regarded man as His main and special creative handiwork. Man was intended to perpetuate the image of God on earth. There was a belief that man existed in the mind of God before the world was created and that the world was created for man, and not man for the world (Ephesians 1:4; Genesis 1:26-28). Man has come to believe in revelation –- that is God has disclosed His intentions from time to time (Hebrews 1:1-3). His disclosures are conditions and warnings regarding cause and effect. It is what man does, with his life that affects everything around him. The Creator has given man a free hand because He made him good. Adam and Eve consented to disobey God’s command by choice that resulted in their descendant’s endless fall.
Concerning the creation of the Lands of Eden and Nod, we are left hanging in a void (Genesis 4:16). We depend on speculation as to why we have two different creation accounts? Genesis one presents a complete world with humans in charge. It is a good world, but not exactly what God may have had in mind. There was something missing. It appears to be far too independent of the Creator. Man, himself is a nature and not a spirit man. He lives off the land and practically worships it. He has not learned how to settle in one place because he is a Nod or a wanderer. The second chapter of Genesis suggests a creation of a second couple settled on land. Adam and Eve are more God-conscious and God-fearing. They lived in a well-maintained Paradise and were able to communicate with the Creator and the animals. Everything was for the couple’s enjoyment, except a tree with fruit that would expose them to good and evil. The moment they would eat that fruit, they would lose Paradise and their dependence on God and they would be left to tend for themselves. Their earthly life would be limited and they would die and their bodies would return to the ground. When they disobeyed, Paradise vanished and Adam and Eve found themselves in Eden. No longer were they treated like royalty but as laborers on cursed ground that yielded thorns and thistles. In the sweat of his brow, Adam would earn his bread and Eve was demoted from a helpmate to a servant and to bearing children in pain. Cause and effect had become man’s permanent companion.
Eden became a new life in a new world for Adam and Eve and their offspring. Their relationship with the Creator had changed. Their relationship that existed with God in Paradise was gone. They had to find ways to remember God. Adam taught his sons to build altars and make burned offerings. Cain offered up grain and Abel some of his lambs. The family learned to be godly without a godly setting or surrounding. Eden became a human replica of a God-like a kingdom on earth. Where ever God’s children or people settled they took the spirit of Eden with them. The last of such lands we entitle, “Northwest of Eden.” It is the land of the Free and the Brave or all of North America. This land is just as much a mystery as creation itself. There is one single Bible reference that the earth was split and part of it became unreachable for man (Genesis 10:25). In time, man did find an entire continent very suited for the expansion of the spirit of Eden or a godly people. At the end of time, the Islands would become a haven for the people of God’s Son and the final battleground between good and evil.esisThe journey to the lands of the Free and Brave will take many detours and cross many mountains. Cause and effect will create many obstacles. To begin with, Adam had to learn how to take charge and manage things in a practically new world. It was easier said than done. They were godly people living next to the Nods that were not. They began raising two sons and they too were known as sons of God. Cain, the oldest, became a farmer and appears to have befriended the Nods who would allow him to live among them when he had to leave Eden. The text indicates that Cain had a wife before he killed his brother and that too made him welcome to the Nods (Genesis 4:17). Abel became a herder and so were the Nods. Had he lived, he too would very likely have married a Nod. The Nods raised beautiful women and the sons of God did intermarry. The fusion of the Edenite men and the Nod women produced the Nephilim (Genesis 6:2-4).
Adam and Eve were novices in being parents. Apparently, they did not treat their sons alike. Cain became angry with his brother Abel because his brother knew how to please parents and God with his sacrifices (Genesis 4:5). He was aware and was warned that his anger would lead to far more serious consequences. He did not attempt to master his anger and succumbed to the sin of murder by killing and disposing his brother’s body. He, like his parents had committed a mortal sin and he knew it. He was a person that was familiar with God; yet, he could not control his temper. Rather, he set an example for his offspring. Lamech, fourth descendant of Cain, introduced polygamy and killed two men in defending his adultery (Genesis 4:19-24). Cause and effect escalated out of control. Neither Adam nor Cain or Lamech were able to curb their passion for the forbidden fruit; namely, life. All three transgressions led to the fall of many. In all of these God kept incomprehensively forgiving. God did not demand an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth, but He gave them second chances. However, there were no more free rides. Henceforth, they were held accountable for their actions. One may have presumed that their experience may bring them back to God; it did not happen. To the contrary, man moved farther away from God and lost sight of where he was headed. In the process of self- enhancement, man began to suppress his guilt by suppressing his conscience or his God–consciousness. God ordered Cain to master himself, but he disobeyed like his father Adam and so would Cain’s children that ushered in the flood (Genesis 4:7). It was all caused by not believing that God meant what He said! God’s Commandments are eternal, universal and unchangeable Laws (Matthew 5:17-20). Any disobedience or violation has had and shall continue to have drastic effects on man and his world.
Stop and Think - Rev Dr. Daniel Kolke 