The first thing Elohim did after creation of man was to make a home for Him. He made it a garden – a separate place from the rest of creation. Man was to “dress” the garden – to beautify it. Imagine that within all the scope of the luscious grounds, man was the finishing touch.
The Lord God (Yahweh Elohim) enclosed an area of ground, which would be the home of Adam and Eve, and God was not to be a guest, but an owner on site, He created the Garden of Eden in splendor because He knew He’d be there. Our life and homes were not intended to be lived separate from our Creator. Let us thank Him for wanting to live in us and through us.
In Genesis 2:8 we’ve established that God planted a garden in Eden. He planted (Hebrew word “nata” (naw-tah), meaning “planted – mostly trees and vines”, and “placed” is Hebrew word “sum” (soom) – “designate, set in place”. This was a designated living zone, this garden (Hebrew word “gan”), meaning “enclosure, garden, orchard, with accusative of tree or vine” – meaning, “the focus is on a place for growth and delight.” Yet, man sinned and garden was evacuated. Man was banished. Actually, God left first. When He’s gone, the party’s over. In Isaiah 51:3 there is a portion of prophetic future talking about the people of Zion and what would be their focus:
- Garden had grown in as a wilderness – a desert. The Hebrew word “midbar” (mid-bawr), means “desert place”. Why? Because God wasn’t there; He’s what made Eden unique and bountiful. Creation responded to Him and the trees raised their branches to Him. Now it is a desolate place. That’s how our heart looks prior to salvation. No water, life, abandoned because of sin.
- The future looked brighter: there would be these three aspects:
- Joy -the Hebrew word “sason” (saw-sone) -“exultation, rejoicing”. It is not mere happiness, which is dependence on circumstances. Joy is being dependent on our relationship with the Creator. In the word joy (saw sone), the forgiven saw a ray of light to break free from the darkness.
- Gladness – it is a close kin to joy. It is the Hebrew word “simchah”, meaning “mirth and has the idea of a ceremony, festivity”. When relationship to God is restored, it’s time to party hearty. Even the angels in heaven rejoice/party.
- These both are found. “matsa” is the Hebrew word meaning, “attain to, find, to be found in a place, especially of wealth and treasure.” The world finds us in a place of safety, treasure, provision, etc. As you can imagine, the garden place is more defined as being in God’s hands than on any ground.
- The results here are thanksgiving and the song that returns. This is the Hebrew word “zimrah”, “melody or song”. The song is the melody and it is Jesus; we are honored to live in harmony with His will and decrees.
Paradise is the Hebrew word “pardes” meaning “orchard”, and the old Persian word “pairidaeza” is the word for “garden with a wall”. Notice the word “pair” in this last word. God’s intention is to be paired with us – that fellowship of life and love that will last forever. He’s coming for those who are looking for Him.