Proliferation of Population

Genesis is indeed the book of beginning. As we spend more and more time rambling about in the Garden, we begin to understand that it speaks of more than just the beginning of what we might refer to as the life of humanity and creation.  The Garden also speaks of the beginning of our understanding of God, the Creator, thus, it becomes the hub of our theology.  To extend our thinking is to see it as the beginning of what we know as interpersonal relationships as well as the intimate personal relationships which sustain our individual emotional lives.  And though, not finally, it is interesting how the Garden story is suggestive of a more agrarian life, or at least one which provides an appreciative connection to the land.  

Living on the farm has been an unexpected blessing in life which has opened life changing vistas of thought.  I sometimes wonder if God really anticipated the way we would faithfully keep the first part of that first commandment, "Be fruitful and multiply..." while totally abusing the intent of the second part which spoke of subduing the earth and having dominion over it.  (Genesis 1:28).  The text goes on to speak of the animal and plant resources of the earth being provided for food and to sustain life, but we have gone far beyond the original intent to a place where what was meant to sustain life has been become a gift exploited for greed.  

Rambling extensively in the Garden speaks to us not of original sin, but of the original intent.  The proliferation of our population has not only created urban magnets which draw the masses, but has in the process dulled our senses to the value of somehow finding a way to show appreciation for the creation which has continued to sustain us since the days of the Garden.  We cannot live within the Creation and regard ourselves as its center lest life as we know it disintegrates into a final chaos.