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; |
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