ELDER: Watch out for the snake in the garden

I heard about a recent incident involving someone I have become acquainted with who lives in far north Georgia. She and her husband were out in their garden picking some vegetables while their dog ventured out in front of them. Suddenly the dog yelped in pain. They realized he was injured and spied the copperhead that had just bitten him. Thankfully, they were able to rush their beloved pet to a vet where he received the needed treatment that spared his life. This acquaintance noted that on that day she had been traipsing through the garden barefooted, which was not unusual for her to do. After this reminder of potential dangers lurking in the area, she vowed to change that risky practice.

Likewise, we shouldn’t ever lose sight of the fact that there is a snake in our garden, too. This was true even within the confines of the paradise God created for Adam and Eve. In the midst of all the wonderful trees that were pleasant to look at and to eat — in the midst of an idyllic garden where there was no sin, pain, suffering, or death — in the midst of an existence where man had close, personal fellowship with God, there was still a snake. This creature was described as crafty and cunning. Elsewhere in the scriptures, it is identified with Satan. It struck mankind with a deadly bite that has severely altered our existence ever since.