Lessons from the Garden
The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man who He had formed. Genesis 2:8 NASB
The boys had a day off school today, so I got to stay home. Which meant I got to go out and dig a considerable number of weeds out of my “garden.” Which meant I had plenty of time to think. Every time I plunged that garden fork into the weeds, I found myself thinking, “Thanks a LOT, Adam! If you had listened to God instead of your wife, my garden wouldn’t be in this mess and I wouldn’t be out here trying to fix it!” Humph!
Except that I know, only too well, that I am prone to the same thing. Listening to the wife, sometimes in preference to God, in the interests of “marital harmony.” Wimp! That was what got us into trouble in the first place. That’s why I’m out here, digging weeds, so I can finally learn this lesson (again). You see, the Hebrew word for “male” is from the same root as the word “to remember.” Adam was created to remember God’s instructions. Havvah was given as his ezer kenegdo – the “helper for his presence” or “helper to be in front of him.” The one who was supposed to keep him accountable, to keep him on track, to sit opposite him, face to face, and their proclamation was to be one. They were to proclaim together God’s purpose on the earth.
Except that he didn’t. Remember, that is. He was standing right there with his wife when the shining one, the “serpent,” challenged her. He went right along with it. Forgot. Didn’t remind her of God’s words. Which was his job. And the rest, as they say, is history (including what used to be my front garden).
Men, stand up and be men. Am I suggesting that we should not listen to our wives? Absolutely NOT! (If I did I’d be sleeping in the shed with the garden fork as company). They are given wisdom to challenge us, to keep us accountable, to keep us on track. Mine does that very well (thank you Lord!). But, we need to remember God’s words, His promises, His instructions, and don’t be shy about reminding our beloved wives when it’s needed. Be men. Remember. Follow the example of the second Adam, who is not shy about reminding His bride of His Father’s words, not the first Adam who forgot! That is the lesson that I learned today.
Topical Index: garden, ezer kenegdo, zakar, remember, male, Genesis 2:8
Rodney Baker, Adelaide
Good Word and reminder Skip!
See you in a couple of weeks for the MISD Seminar in Melbourne 🙂
Rodney, I am thinking your wife has reminded you probably more than once to that care of the the weeds. But because you have ignored her, the weeds have become a job (taking a lot of time to get rid of them). Just like the Holy Spriti reminds us to get rid of the weeds in our garden, now and not put it off. As with Adam, I did not see you take any responsibility for the weeds only blaming your wife. Sad, all the Hebrew words are right but you miss the point. Patti
Oh snap, lol.
Although in fairness, I didn’t take the section as ‘wife blaming’ – only a call to return to our correct callings. The man remembers, the woman sets boundaries.
In our house, my wife and I both believe in ‘keeping Sabbath’ – but what does that look like? What happens when one of us feels more pious than the other, do we switch off finger wagging at each other? No. So I asked her to draw the boundaries, and my job was to remember and remind. If she wants the TV off on Sabbath – then I’ll remind when it’s approaching. If she wants a special meal (we do two loaves of bread), then I go to the store get the supplies and make sure it happens. In this way, I’m sort of an ‘enforcer’, but the in the mildest of senses – and I’m really backing up her wishes.
She gets excited about having family traditions, but she isn’t as prone to follow through – so that’s where I come in.
That’s awesome Gabe
Hi Patti,
I said ‘yikes!’ when I read your comment. I do not think Rodney was blaming his wife at all! Were you offended by the idea of Rodney blaming Adam for listening to his wife? Why do i ask? I know how easy it is for MY ‘fears’ or ‘biases’ to negatively influence how I hear another. Then it seemed that to make your point you ASSUMED his wife had spoken to him several times about the weeds, but he did not listen. The bottom line to me is that Rodney is saying – men, remember! There IS a warning for us women too. We are still prone to deception, so we need to walk in the Spirit because our husbands still listen when we speak…! Arnella
“As with Adam, I did not see you take any responsibility for the weeds only blaming your wife.”
Ummmmm I think I read that in a book on this subject a little while back.
The subject of the ezer kenegdo always brings the story of Deborah to my mind.
I was shown some years ago now that it is highly probable that Barak was Deborah’s husband.
At least two things point to this the first being that it would be unthinkable for any woman to go anywhere with a man who was not her husband let alone to war. The second is that Lapidoth is not a proper name. The word is rendered “torches” which is descriptive of a prophet or in this case prophetess. So the sentence can also read something like “she was a fiery woman/wife”
There are other things but the thing that stands out to me these days is that this is an example of the proper relationship between a man and his ezer kenegdo. He recognizes her gifting and connection to YHVH. Barak means “Lightning” which reminds me of Yeshua’s return as the mighty warrior and judge. These two together complete that picture of Yeshua’s return.
Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Mt 24:27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Lu 17:24 For as the lightning, that lightens out of the one part under heaven, shines unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
I love the challange you bring to the men today Rodney. You are one of several male voices in the last few weeks that we have heard this from. Raise up men. Be men!
Amein
Hi Skip,
Did you write this or did Rodney Baker?
It’s really good!
This was Rodney, but it always says “Skip Moen” up top as the author.
Rodney wrote it. But it always comes out under my blog name, so I included his name at the bottom
Skip, Perhaps you should consider putting a heading at the top of the page that “so and so is filling in for me today” like you sometimes have done in the past. Otherwise it can create confusion, as we see here. Usually I can tell right away that it is a different author-no offense to any of the substitutes-but not every can. With so many new people coming on line who haven’t read your works it can be confusing to them, and they may attribute their words to the wrong author. Just a suggestion. BTW, good word Rodney. Michael
Yup. I can do that.
let me try again
“zakar” – remember
“It does not mean to recall or bring back to memory, but rather to speak or act in behalf of someone or something. This is what is meant when the Scriptures state that “God remembered Rachael” or that “God remembered Noah”. It means that God acted or spoke in behalf of Rachael or Noah. When the thief asked Yeshua‘ to remember him when He came into His kingdom, he was not implying that Yeshua‘ could forget him. He was asking Yeshua‘ to act in behalf of him and Yeshua‘ promised him that He would do just that. So the frankincense or pureness of God’s word was to act or speak of His word continually. It would be a witness of the life sustaining words of YHVH. ” –
http://www.wildbranch.org/teachings/lessons/lesson37.html
But even if it means to remember – just imagine a world where every man always, first and foremost remembers Who his God is and what his God demands of him – a place of shalom. Shabbat Shalom !
Amein, Luzette!
Love what you have expressed here.
The men really need to stand up to take their rightful place in humility and right standing in YHWH.
Brad Scott is one of my favourite Hebraic teacher too.
Shalom!
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
Wasn’t it our LORD (Himself) who said, “do this in remembrance of me?”..
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (I Corinthians 11:23- 26)
This is a memorial, an sacred aid to help us to remember. My wife and I have just returned from four days of nothing. No TV, no phone, no computer, no radio. Out in the ‘boonies’ of middle Tennessee, where they spell country with a “K.” It was a time purposefully set apart by the two of us to unplug and to unwind. Down time, quiet time. Peace and Quiet- travelling companions. A quiet time- to rest, to reflect, to remember. – and it was delightful! I haven’t been back for a day and miss it already!
“Remembrance” is critical and forgetfulness is always costly. It occurred to me on our return trip home, (do you also have this problem?)- every time I forget anything, -anything at all, – it is in some way “costly.” Forget your anniversary one time and let me know how that works for you!- (I haven’t done this one yet, but my day may be coming!) But to fail to “zakar” (to speak or act in behalf of someone or something) or to “shema” (to hear and obey) the words of our Savior? This will cost us more than we would be willing to pay! How often do I remember the Giver of every good and perfect gift? How often do I marvel at my Father’s creation? And how overflowingly full my heart is when I “pause to remember..” (Selah!)
Jesus, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills my breast.. – Just how “critical” is this “remembering?” Enough that we have been given another grace-Gift, the Gift of the Comforter Himself, Who will abide with us forever. ~ But the Counselor, the Ruach HaKodesh, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you ~ (John 14.26) Very encouraging words!
But there is also another benefit to this “remembering..,” for the way we know our future is by reviewing and remembering the past.” Has God been faithful? Was He faithful the first time? the second? the third?- what about the fourth? Will He whose Name is Faithful and True be faithful once again? In confident expectation we may boldly say- Yes, “always faithful.” Amen.
~ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God ~ (Psalm 20.7)
Enjoyed the lesson and the comments. Another notable example of a man heeding his wife’s bad advice, instead of waiting on God, was Abraham with respect to Sarah and Hagar. That one has had long-reaching repercussions for mankind as well.