In Genesis 3 we read how Adam and Eve lost the blessed relationship God had with them before they fell (Gen. 2:21–25). However, in his fallen condition, man was still able to know good and evil, but he did not have the capacity to resist evil, or to only do good. For that ability, one needs a new nature. God, in mercy, sent Adam and Eve away from the Garden after their fall; otherwise, they would have remained in their fallen state without any possible remedy. What did God do? “He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life” (3:23–24).

In His discipline, God caused Adam and Eve to suffer the consequences of their disobedience: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (vv. 17–19). How solemn! Yet, we read that Adam called his wife Eve, meaning “life,” the mother of all living (v. 20). Then God clothed them with the garments He made from the sacrificed animals.

Grace overruled, without any compromise of God’s rights. This is an example in Scripture of “grace and truth.” Praise God!