Tending and Keeping Your Garden

In Genesis 2:15 you read how God began leading Adam to become a true leader. The Lord had already given Adam his first command, “…Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28. Adam would lead by following God’s word. This same is true for you. Adam was given dominion over creation (his domain to rule), and was told to subdue it (bring it under submission; there would be hostility and opposition). The same is true for you. God has not changed his plan. We are his representatives on earth, made in his image and given the responsibility to lead by following his word.

         And now, in chapter two, you see how Adam began to learn to lead. God planted a garden on the earth for Adam to learn leadership. This is such a touching picture of a good, good father teaching his son, leading his son to mature into manhood. How much more does God love us and nurture us into maturity. Adam was placed in the garden of Eden and given his second command, tend and keep the garden. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15.

         The word “work” is the Hebrew word abad, which means to serve, to worship, to labor. The word “servant” is ebed, which is a derivative of this word. This word is used extensively in the Old Testament. In the prophets it is used to describe God’s promised Messiah, his servant (Isaiah 42:1 – 7, 49:1 – 6, 50:4 – 9, 52:13 – 53:12). The Hebrew understanding of work comes from this word. As the children of Israel would enter the Promised Land and work it, they would always be servants of the Lord, who owned the land and had entrusted it to them.

         Adam was to tend the garden, bringing it under submission to bear fruit, 30, 60, 100 fold, for the Gardener, God. Adam would lead by speaking God’s word to the garden. Before he sinned, Adam did not sweat when he worked, he spoke God’s word. This is the way God created and this is the way Adam would lead creation, by speaking God’s word. AMEN.

          The second word used in this verse is “keep it,” which is the Hebrew word shamar. This, too, is a word that is used extensively in the Old Testament. It means to exercise great care over something, to watch, to guard, to treasure, to protect, to have charge over something, to keep within the bounds of something, to restrain.

This is a rich word and is used describing how God keeps us, “The LORD is your keeper…the LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:5 – 8. AMEN. It is used in the Aaronic blessing, “May the LORD bless you and keep you…” Numbers 6:24. It is used to describe the protection of God’s word from reckless living, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119:9. In Adam’s case the meaning is clear; keep a close watch on the garden, guard it, treasure it, keep it within the limits of God’s word, manage it with God’s word. God was teaching Adam, leading him to lead according to his word.

Did you know that you have a garden? Jesus told a parable about four kinds of soils and the relationship between the soil, the seed, and the production of fruit (Matthew 13:3 – 9, Mark 4:3 – 9, Luke 8:4 – 10). Jesus said that the soil is your heart and the seed is the word of God. You receive God’s word by hearing it, then tend and keep your heart with all diligence by being obedient and serving the Lord according to his word in order for the seed to grow and bear fruit. You keep a close watch over your heart, not allowing what is evil to influence or distract you from staying tuned to his commandments. And you speak what you hear and so give direction to your own life, to your family, in your church family, community, and world. AMEN.

Today, memorize and pray Psalm 119:9, “How can a young man (or woman) keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” In praying this word, God will guide your way in his way, which will provide a clear path for those following behind you.