Living In The Light

July 1, Labor And The Fall

“Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.”
—Genesis 3:17 LL 194.1

It had been Satan’s plan to lead Adam and Eve to disobey God, receive His frown, hoping that they then would eat of the tree of life, and live in sin. But God said He would drive the transgressors from the garden. Angels were immediately commissioned to guard the way of the tree of life, that they might gain no access to it. As Adam and Eve hear the sound of God’s majestic approach, they seek to hide themselves from His inspection, whom they delighted while in their innocence and holiness, to meet. LL 194.2

God cursed the ground because of their sin in eating of the tree of knowledge, and declared, “In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” He had apportioned them the good, but withheld the evil. Now God declares that they shall eat of it, that is, should be acquainted with evil all the days of their life. LL 194.3

The race from that time forward was to be afflicted by Satan’s temptations. A life of perpetual toil and anxiety was appointed unto Adam, instead of the happy, cheerful labor that he had hitherto enjoyed. He told Adam, “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat of the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” God again sets the penalty of death before them, and declares they must suffer it. Holy angels were sent to drive out the disobedient pair from the garden, while other angels guarded the way to the tree of life. Each one of these mighty angels had in his right hand a glittering sword. LL 194.4

Adam was driven out from that beautiful garden to till the earth from whence he came. And God guarded the tree of life with flaming swords which turned every way, lest humans should eat of it and perpetuate a life of sin. LL 194.5

In humility and inexpressible sadness Adam and Eve left the lovely garden wherein they had been so happy until they disobeyed the command of God.— Spiritual Gifts , vol. 3, pp. 44—46. LL 194.6

Further Reflection: Before Adam and Eve sinned, work had been happy and cheerful. Do you think the redeemed from earth will enjoy such work again when they get to heaven? LL 194.7