The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.
Genesis 2:8 (NASB)
Today’s verse reminded me of my village childhood and our beautiful rose garden, planted and tended lovingly by Dad. Our garden was admired by many and envied by others in our village; on a summer evening, Dad was found sitting on his chair at the top of the garden, admiring his handiwork and breathing in the sweet scents wafting across it. He had reason to be proud; his garden was the result of months of planning, purchasing, and planting. As I remembered this, it occurred to me that our verse tells us that God was the first gardener.
The verse states that “The LORD God planted…” – there was no doubt in who the gardener was! Read into the next verse, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food…” (Genesis 2:9a), the ground was bare. God had to prepare the perfect growing conditions first, create the seeds, and then He plant the trees.
Dear Reader, God is still in the gardening business. He is still planting His own created seeds in the lives of men – Gospel Seeds, planted and grown in the hearts of lost sinful souls. His is a spiritual herbaceous garden; with flowers to share the gospel, flowers to feed and encourage His children – all seeded in the rich Word of God. May you grow and flower before God in His garden this year brethren.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
