Chapter 2—The Eden School
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom.”
The system of education instituted at the beginning of the world
was to be a model for man throughout all aftertime. As an illustration
of its principles a model school was established in Eden, the home
of our first parents. The Garden of Eden was the schoolroom, nature
was the lesson book, the Creator Himself was the instructor, and the
parents of the human family were the students.
Created to be “the image and glory of God” (
1 Corinthians 11:7
),
Adam and Eve had received endowments not unworthy of their high
destiny. Graceful and symmetrical in form, regular and beautiful in
feature, their countenances glowing with the tint of health and the light
of joy and hope, they bore in outward resemblance the likeness of their
Maker. Nor was this likeness manifest in the physical nature only.
Every faculty of mind and soul reflected the Creator’s glory. Endowed
with high mental and spiritual gifts, Adam and Eve were made but
“little lower than the angels” (
Hebrews 2:7
), that they might not only
discern the wonders of the visible universe, but comprehend moral
responsibilities and obligations.
“The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He
put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the
Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for
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food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden.”
Genesis 2:8, 9
.
Here, amidst the beautiful scenes of nature untouched by sin, our first
parents were to receive their education.
In His interest for His children, our heavenly Father personally
directed their education. Often they were visited by His messengers,
the holy angels, and from them received counsel and instruction. Often
as they walked in the garden in the cool of the day they heard the
voice of God, and face to face held communion with the Eternal.
His thoughts toward them were “thoughts of peace, and not of evil.”
Jeremiah 29:11
. His every purpose was their highest good.
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