<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter P. Snyder This Wednesday begins the holy season of Lent---Christendom's traditional time of fasting, penitence, almsgiving, and other preparations for the observance of the crucifixion, death, burial, and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of these preparations are commendable at any time, but especially as we focus during this time of year on the total sacrifice made by the Incarnate Word for sinful mankind. Q: I read the book of Genesis, and I need some answers because I was confused after reading. 1. In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, created he him; male and female created he them." That was on the sixth day. Is that the same day that God created Adam? 2. Was Adam the first man on earth, or he was created on the sixth day and put in the garden in Eden later? 3. Why did God let the serpent come near his children, why didn't he protect them? 4. Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden, because it was not good for his children, so this let the serpent come and deceive his children? 5. Where is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil now? (Genesis 3:24 says, "At the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.") 6. Why didn't God create humans with an obedient heart, since God can do anything? 7. If Adam was the first man on earth, Eve was the first lady; they have two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel; he was sent out to the land of Nod; after that he got married and had a son---Enoch. Where did he get his wife? A1: Yes, Adam is the first man and was created (literally formed out of the earth) on the sixth day of creation. 2: Adam was the first man. Luke's genealogy of Jesus (3:38) shows this. First Corinthians 15:45 echos Genesis 2:7, saying, "It is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam [Christ] became a life-giving spirit." 3: God did protect his children. He gave them a clear, unmistakable Word. He told them, "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die. (Genesis 2:17)" If Adam had listened to God and Eve to her husband, nothing bad would have happened. 4. While Scripture gives no answer to this question, many Bible scholars say that the tree of knowledge was established for man to worship God. He was to honor his Creator by not doing what had been forbidden. 5. Most likely, the tree of knowledge grew old and died. It's unclear what God did with the tree of life. However, it finds new expression in other parts of Scripture. Proverbs 3:18 calls wisdom "the tree of life." In Proverbs 11:30, the tree of life is "the fruit of the righteous." Other Proverbs refer to "desire fulfilled" and "a gentle tongue." The apocryphal book of 2 Esdras mentions that the tree of life is "planted," evidently in paradise as 8:51 makes promises for the righteous of Israel. The Revelation to St. John continues this theme in chapter 22, as we see the tree of life planted on both banks of the water of the river of life. 6. Man did have an obedient heart, for he was created perfect and holy. However, he rebelled against his obedience and overthrew that which was righteous. 7. The only answer that doesn't involve inventing another source for human beings is that Cain married his sister. Incest was not divinely nor morally forbidden at this early date. Also, mankind probably had not physically deteriorated as it has in the latter days. There would be few genetic mutations and harmful traits to be compounded by close kin sexual relations for many generations to come. Some even think that the time of the flood brought also an end to a protective canopy of mist which may have existed since the time of creation (see Genesis 2:5--6). That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1999 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.