The Rationale of Man's Corporeal Life and Dissolution
Homilist
Genesis 3:17
And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying…


I. WHY MAN WAS TO HAVE A BRIEF EMBODIED LIFE. How was this arrangement likely to affect his ultimate spiritual well-being?

1. Man's earthly life is his probation. period. The opportunity of choice exists while soul and body are joined, but no longer. Death is the beginning of destiny.

2. A probation-period, to be just, satisfactory, merciful, must —

(1)  Show the true nature and fruits of the objects to be chosen;

(2)  bring out the true character and intentions of the individual choosing.

3. The body is a valuable agent in the accomplishment of this design.

(1)  It brings out the nature of the objects to be chosen.

(2)  It compels man to a religious decision.

II. WHY MAN, AFTER HAVING SPENT HIS PROBATION PERIOD IN THE BODY, HAD TO SUFFER PHYSICAL DEATH.

1. Death in relation to the saved —

(1)  Delivers the soul from many sinful habits.

(2)  Delivers the land from a fruitful nurse of sin.

(3)  Introduces the soul to higher enjoyments.

2. Death in relation to the lost. A wicked spirit disembodied seems the most miserable, pitiable thing in God's universe; like a man suddenly expelled from a brilliant and warm room, to shiver naked in the cold and darkness of a winter night — a night, too, that shall know no dawn, and to the fierce blast of which no stupor can ever render the wretched outcast insensible!

(Homilist.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

WEB: To Adam he said, "Because you have listened to your wife's voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.




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