Sometimes our sins affect others
Adam and Eve, along with all the newly-created animals, were becoming accustomed to their home in Paradise, the Garden of Eden.
The world’s first couple were amazed and astounded by the beauty with which they were surrounded. “The Sovereign Lord is so wonderful to provide all of these things for us!,” exclaimed Eve.
“He is certainly a generous God!,” observed Adam. “He could have just kept all these things for himself, but, instead, he shared them with us.”
Adam and Eve walked slowly through the Garden, looking at all the animals, trees, and plants, which were plentiful, diverse and gorgeous. Sometimes, they gently caressed the animals and spoke softly to them.
Adam was particularly fond of communicating with the smaller animals, while Eve preferred talking with the larger creatures.
On one of their daily treks through the Garden, Adam stopped to speak to Beverly, a lamb. “Hi, Adam,” said Beverly. “Do you know who I am?”
“Of course, I know who you are,” said Adam. “I named you.”
Beverly was with a large sheep named Barney, her dad.
“This is a great place to live,” said Barney. “The lush green grass is always so moist and tasty.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your life here,” said Adam. “By the way, where’s Bea, your mate?”
“She’s relaxing,” Barney relied. “She’s taking her afternoon nap.”
“That’s super,” said Adam, who always showed concern for the animals.
“I’m going to visit a few more of my new friends before meeting Eve for a nice snack of fresh fruits and veggies,” said Adam.
“I hope you have a tasty meal,” said Barney.
“Thanks,” said Adam. “May God bless you, Bea and Beverly.”
Several months later, Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They realized they had sinned against God, and they recognized that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together in an attempt to hide their nakedness.
God knew that Adam and Eve had sinned against Him, and He let them know their homemade clothing was not an appropriate covering for sin. The life of Beverly was taken to provide coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve.
“The blood of a lamb that is totally without blemish is the required atonement for sin,” said the Lord.
“Which of Eden’s lambs provided our covering?,” Eve asked with a trembling voice.
“It was Beverly,” replied the Lord.
“Why Beverly?,” asked Adam. “She was good and tenderhearted. She was a true friend.”
“Let this be a lesson to you, Adam,” said God. “Sometimes when you sin, you don’t just hurt yourself. Sometimes you also hurt the ones you love.”
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