The Two Households of God: Understanding Eden, the Heavens and Earth

The Old Testament describes two households of God - one human and one non-human. These two families were created as God's representatives in different realms: the supernatural realm (the unseen realm where the sons of God and messengers gather) and Earth, where humanity dwells.

What Was Eden Really?

When we think of Eden, we typically picture the garden described in Genesis 2:8 as humanity's home. But this view misses something crucial - Eden was primarily God's home on Earth. When Adam heard God walking in the garden, God didn't have to "come down" to be there. He was already present because Eden was where the King lived and where His council met.

The ancient biblical writers shared a worldview with others in the ancient Near East. They believed in an unseen realm where divine beings lived. Throughout the ancient world, divine abodes were portrayed in similar ways - luxuriant gardens or mountains where deities lived and governed human affairs.

Why Did Ancient People Imagine Gods Living in Gardens and Mountains?

In the ancient Near East, most people lived day-to-day in agrarian cultures. Life was hard, and water was precious. So naturally, they imagined their deities living where:

• Water was abundant
• Life-sustaining vegetation grew freely
• Mountain peaks provided remote, forbidding locations

For people struggling to survive in arid environments, a place with flowing water and abundant fruit would seem like paradise. Mountains were chosen as divine domains because they were inaccessible and mysterious - the air changes as you climb, and they seemed to connect earth and heaven.

The Divine Council in Ancient Understanding

Archaeological discoveries from Ugarit (an ancient civilization in Syria) have provided valuable insights into biblical Hebrew. Their chief deity, El (a name that appears in the Old Testament for the God of Israel), had a divine council called "the sons of El." They had a three-tiered divine council structure and used similar language to describe their divine abode.

The Hebrew Bible uses similar descriptors for Yahweh's throne room and abode. Scripture lays out a three-tier council:

• Yahweh at the top (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
• The "sons of God" or "watchers" (where beings like Gabriel would be found)
• The messenger angels (Malik)

Where Was Eden Located?

Scripture describes Eden as:

• "The holy mountain of God" (Ezekiel 28)
• "Mount Zion in the far north" (Psalm 48:1-2)
• "The Garden of God" (Ezekiel 28:13)
• "The seat of the gods" (Ezekiel 28:2)

Eden was the seat of authority and action - like a "county seat" or capital. It was where God's government operated from.

Was Eden the Entire Earth?

No, Eden was not the entire Earth but only a tiny part of it. The text makes this clear in several ways:

• Eden's location was described by geographical markers (Genesis 2:10-14) with four rivers flowing out from it
• God commanded humans to "fill the earth" (Genesis 1:28) - which wouldn't make sense if Eden was already the whole Earth
• After the Fall, Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden to live elsewhere on Earth

What Was Humanity's Original Task?

The original task of humanity was to make Earth like Eden. This is still our mission in many ways - to care for the land, improve it, and ensure everyone knows God. The Bible begins with Eden and ends with a vision of a new Edenic earth in Revelation 21-22.

God established a working relationship between Himself and humanity that involves genuine, meaningful participation from His human imagers. This pattern extends from figures like Moses, Joshua, and David to all believers today.

Does God Need a Council?

God doesn't need a council - He wants one. He desires to relate with both His supernatural family and His earthly family. There's nothing we do that God cannot accomplish Himself, but He chose to work through us. He tells us His will and commands His loyal children to get the job done.

This is seen clearly in 1 Kings 22, where God is depicted consulting with His heavenly host about how to deal with King Ahab. God knew what would happen, but He still involved His council in the decision-making process.

How Does God's Council Work?

Daniel 4:17 refers to "the decree of the Watchers" and "the decision by the command of the holy ones." Yet Daniel later clarifies that the ultimate authority behind the decree is God, the Most High.

This shows an important principle: God decrees the ends, but the means can be left up to His imagers. We're responsible for what we choose to do for God, just as the heavenly beings are.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Free Will

The balance between God's sovereignty and free will is essential for understanding what happened in Eden. The choices made by human and non-human beings in Genesis 3 were neither coerced nor needed by God for His greater plan.

God knows who will accept Him and how to reach each person, but He doesn't take away our free will. He tells us what to do (like make disciples) but often leaves the "how" up to us. This is refreshing because it means we can serve God in ways that fit our unique personalities and situations.

Life Application

Understanding Eden and God's council has several practical implications for our lives:

• Recognize your role as God's representative: Just as Adam and Eve were placed in Eden to care for it and expand God's kingdom, we are called to be God's representatives on Earth today. How are you reflecting God's character to those around you?

• Participate in God's mission: God doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes, but He chooses to work through us. What specific ways is God inviting you to participate in His work this week?

• Exercise your God-given freedom responsibly: God gives us freedom in how we carry out His commands. Are you using that freedom to creatively serve Him, or are you using it as an excuse for inaction?

• Work to make Earth more like Eden: Our original task was to extend Eden-like conditions throughout the Earth. What one thing can you do this week to bring more of God's peace, beauty, or justice to your corner of the world?

Ask yourself: If God's original intent was for humans to participate in His divine council and rule, how might that change how I view my daily work and relationships? Am I living as someone who has been invited into God's family business?