Day 198: Adam and Eve

Should be Day 212.

An author brought the fact to my attention that Adam and Eve were the cause of the first animal sacrifice.  You see, an animal had to be killed in order for God to clothe them in animal skins.  An animal covered their sins, and it was the ones to be killed in the world's history.  I thought it was a fascinating realization.

Adam and Eve, awkwardly holding up the branches and leaves in front of themselves, stood in silence as God's stinging words still lingered in the air. 

"God's law was so simple to follow," Eve sighed.  "That was the only place we could not eat at.  The serpent was so deceptive.  I feel like such a fool for listening to him."

"I trusted you," Adam said softly. 

"I'm so sorry, Adam!  I took you down with me.  I wish I wouldn't have done that."

"I know it wasn't intentional.  I guess that just means that we shouldn't blindly follow each other.  We should listen to our hearts and remember what God has commanded us.  Then we can help each other."  Adam pondered for a moment.  "I am actually the one who needs forgiveness.  It was my responsibility to lead you away from temptation and save us both, and I failed.  Can you forgive me?"

"Of course I do!"  She squeezed his hand and then jerked when God faced them again, and all the guilt and fear flooded back to them.

"Follow me," God instructed.

Adam and Eve quickly walked through the garden as God moved swiftly past the grove of trees.  Eve couldn't even look at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Adam stepped on a sharp pebble and bled for the first time.  They stopped on a grassy hill that was near the sparkling stream.  A flock of sheep were grazing a few feet from them, and Adam couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight.  All was well with them. 

"You are going to need better clothes than that," God explained.  "This hurts me much more than it hurts you.  It was my intent for man not to be aware of his nakedness and need clothes."

Eve let out a slight scream when she saw one of the sheep near them fall to the ground and another after that.  Then they both watched as the blood was spilled, and God made clothes out of the wool.  Adam's heart was heavier than ever.  He had lovingly tended those sheep, named them, and watched them be a family.  Now their sins had cost those innocent creatures their lives.