10/28/2020 SWEAT
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
[King James translation]
Summary
It is interesting to compare mankind’s quality of life before the fall (before Adam disobeyed GOD) and afterward. Before the fall, Adam lived in GOD’s garden. Eden was a GODly place, a beautiful space, uniquely created and designed by GOD. GOD planted trees, with the choicest of fruit. Eden was a place of peace and comfort. Most importantly, it was a place where humanity could be with THE CREATOR. In Eden, Adam could commune with THE CREATOR. Adam could talk with THE CREATOR, walk with THE CREATOR, and do the work THE CREATOR designed specifically for him. It was ideal.
But as a result of Adam's disobedience, and the disobedience of generations of male and female “Adams” thereafter, humanity was denied, Eden. Humanity would still have to eat, but no longer would humans eat from GOD’s special garden. Adam would have to plant his own garden. Adam would have to sweat. Adam would have to face obstacles. Instead of beautiful trees and easy, accessible fruit dangling from branches, Adam would encounter “thorns and thistles.” (See, Genesis 3:18.) Adam would have to deal with “the dust” and “the ground”--his very own nature, trying to live---trying to eat. Living outside of Eden would be hard and it would be frustrating.
Yet, one of the greatest lessons of the Bible, is that the story did not end with “the fall.” GOD
continued to provided. For example:
- When the Israelites were sweating in the wilderness, complaining and unhappy about all of the obstacles in their lives, GOD rained down bread from heaven. (See Exodus 16:4)
- Job’s “thorns and thistles” seemed to be never-ending. They attacked his flesh and his spirit. He could find no comfort---not even from his friends or his wife. It seemed like everything he had worked and sweated for just disappeared overnight. Job’s sweat was also the sweat of illness, discouragement, and mental suffering. But, in the midst of his despair, GOD found Job and reminded Job who GOD IS.
There are many other examples and Biblical witnesses to GOD’s AMAZING GRACE. The greatest act of GRACE was GOD sending HIS SON, JESUS, THE CHRIST to redeem humanity from the penalty of death. JESUS took the thorns and thistles of life, which HE wore in HIS suffering and then turned them into a crown of glory and victory, when HE then arose, victorious, with all authority from the grave.
JESUS sweated too. In a “prayer garden” called Gethsemane, in HIS agony, HIS sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (See, Luke 22:39-44) Yet, HE continued to commune with GOD. HE continued to pray. And GOD, in HIS GRACE, heard HIM. GOD always hears JESUS. (See, John 11:41)
Yes, the Bible has a lot to say about sweat, the thorns, and thistles of life and GOD’s GRACE.