Adam and Eve's Reaction to Eden's Banishment

Yes, Adam and Eve were filled with a sense of shame and terror, and they earnestly entreated that they might remain in their home of innocence and joyTA 61.2+1.

The Reaction of Adam and Eve

• Initial Fear and Shame: After eating the forbidden fruit, the holy pair were immediately overwhelmed by a sense of shame and terrorSC 40.2.

• Pleas to Stay: They confessed their forfeiture of the right to stay but pledged strict future obedience, pleading to remain in the gardenTA 61.2.

• Hiding from God: Their guilt led them to hide among the trees of the garden when they heard the voice of the Lord walking in the cool of the day Genesis 3:8.

• Self-Justification: Instead of true repentance, they initially sought to excuse their sin; Adam blamed the woman and God, while Eve blamed the serpent Genesis 3:12-13SC 40.2.

Reasons for Their Expulsion

• Depraved Nature: They were informed that their nature had become depraved by sin, which lessened their strength to resist evil and gave Satan more ready access to themTA 61.2.

• Loss of Innocence: In their state of conscious guilt, they possessed less power to maintain their integrity than they did in their innocenceTA 61.2.

• Protection of the Tree of Life: It was no longer safe for them to remain in Eden, lest in their state of sin they eat from the tree of life and thus perpetuate a life of sin Genesis 3:22TA 61.2+1.

• Transgression of Law: Their banishment was the direct result of transgressing the law of God12MR 396.5+1.

The Change in Their Environment

• A Life of Toil: Before they were depicts of the life of toil and sorrow that sin had brought upon them, they were sent out to till the ground from which they were taken Genesis 3:23Messenger June 7, 1893, par. 3.

• The Guarded Entrance: To ensure they could not return, God placed Cherubim and a flaming sword at the east of the garden to keep the way of the tree of life Genesis 3:241LtMs, Ms 4, 1850, par. 14.

• Loss of Light: Upon losing their garments of holiness, they also lost the divine light that had previously allowed them to read nature aright8T 324.5.

• The Curse on the Earth: Because of their disobedience, the ground was cursed, and man was doomed to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow Genesis 3:17-19FE 512.5.

Hope Amidst Sorrow

• The Promise of Redemption: Even as they stood as criminals before the Judge, they heard the first notes of the divine promise that the seed of the woman would eventually bruise the serpent's head Genesis 3:15Messenger June 7, 1893, par. 3+1.

• Pardon and Salvation: Adam and Eve sincerely repented of their guilt and believed the promise of God, which saved them from utter ruinST April 22, 1886, par. 2.

• Future Restoration: Though they lost their beautiful home, the plan of salvation ensures that the redeemed will eventually have the right to the tree of life and enter a paradise more glorious than the first Revelation 22:14YI October 1, 1852, par. 3+1.

Adam and Eve initially flattered themselves that the consequences of their disobedience would not be as fearful as had been apprehendedRH June 6, 1899, par. 1. When they were confronted with their transgression, they pleaded to endure the penalty themselves rather than have the Son of God sacrifice His life, and they earnestly desired to remain in their Eden homeCon 16.2+1.

Initial Hopes and Pleas

• Misunderstanding Consequences: Like many of their descendants, our first parents initially believed they could disregard God's prohibitions without facing the full, terrible results he had warned them aboutRH June 6, 1899, par. 1.

• Earnest Entreaty: When the sentence of expulsion was pronounced, Adam and Eve were filled with anguish and pleaded to remain in the garden, even though they acknowledged they had forfeited all right to their beautiful homeCon 16.2.

• Willingness to Suffer: Such was their remorse that they begged to take the punishment upon themselves and their posterity rather than see the beloved Son of God suffer for their failure1SP 50.2.

• Promises of Obedience: They pledged that in the future they would render implicit obedience to God if they were only allowed to stay in their state of innocence and joyCon 16.2.

The Reality of Sin

• Inevitability of the Penalty: They learned that the divine precepts are sacred and immutable, and that the penalty of transgression must surely be inflictedPP 80.3.

• Separation from God: Their sin immediately created a barrier; the light of their garments of heavenly innocence departed, and they drew about them dark robes of ignorance of God1SM 290.3.

• A Second Probation: Although they were expelled from Eden, God in His mercy did not abandon them to hopeless ruin but granted them a second trial and a period of probation through the merits of ChristCon 16.2+2.

• Sacrificial Lessons: Through the sacrificial offerings later established, they were taught that death was the inevitable consequence of sin and that only the shedding of blood by a Redeemer could vindicate the Father's law2SP 85.3.

Comfort in the Promise

• Hope Before the Curse: Before they even heard of the thorns, thistles, and the toil that would characterize their new life, God gave them a promise of redemption through the seed of the woman Genesis 3:15Ed 27.1.

• Instruction from Christ: After the fall, Christ Himself became their instructor, explaining the plan of salvation and how they might eventually regain lost Eden through humble obedienceCon 16.2+1.

• Future Restoration: They were comforted by the knowledge that while they had lost their home through transgression, the way to the tree of life would eventually be reopened for all who love God and keep His commandments Revelation 22:12-14YI October 1, 1852, par. 3.