Life is challenging for everyone. But why is life so tough? We often assume that those who possess all the luxuries of this world are the happiest and most fulfilled individuals. However, as we delve deeper into their lives, we realize this isn’t true. So, who truly has an easy life?

It’s a simple question with an obvious answer: no one! Because of our first parents, Adam and Eve, who sinned against God, we inherited a life filled with hardships, suffering, and ultimately, death as a consequence of their actions. (If you’ve been following the teaching series we began a few weeks ago, we are continuing today from where we left off two weeks ago.)

We’ve already discussed last time how Adam and Eve sinned against God and the resulting curse placed on Eve. First, God cursed the cunning serpent, then Eve, and finally, Adam. The Word of God puts Adam’s curse this way:

“Then to Adam He [God] said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”” Genesis 3:17-19 NKJV

When it comes to the most depressing passage in the Bible for me personally, this one stands unparalleled! If this passage doesn’t bring you down, I don’t know what will.

Adam was the first man God created in His own image and likeness. All of us, including Eve, descended from him. Adam is the root from which we all originated, and whatever was declared upon him applies to all of us, as humans. Adam represents all of humanity.

What did Adam do?

He knowingly and willingly rejected his Creator and His command, “You shall not eat of it,” choosing instead to follow his wife’s lead and eat the forbidden fruit. This is the very definition of transgression. While Eve was deceived, Adam—the first man God created, from whom we all descend—consciously disobeyed God and accepted his wife’s invitation, perhaps thinking he would benefit from his decision later. What do you call that? Premeditated sin!

We can safely assume this: After Eve entered the scene, Adam likely gave her a quick tour of the garden, explaining that they were permitted to eat from all the trees except one.

Then this first man joined forces with his wife to reject God and His one command. In response, God said to him, “Cursed is the ground because of you” – Wow! God didn’t say that to Eve. Why? Adam wasn’t created from Eve; rather, Eve was created from Adam, and for Adam (1 Corinthians 11:8-9). Adam’s position of authority, according to the order of creation, made him “the boss,” the leader. The consequences of Adam’s sin affected all of humanity and the entirety of God’s creation.

Last time, we saw how Eve’s curse affected the very area where God had intended her to thrive—her life with her husband and children. Similarly, Adam’s curse impacted the place where God designed him to find happiness, joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction—his work, outside the home.

The earth that once served Adam now opposes him by producing what he does not want—things that cause him pain and hurt: “thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.” Adam now has to obtain his food from the very earth that was cursed because of him. He must constantly struggle against all the “thorns and thistles” the earth produces, almost as if they were gifts meant for him. The question is how long must Adam endure this? Until he dies! There’s no rest. If he stops working due to old age, it’s because of the pain and aches that wrack his body, as he gradually loses parts and functions of his body, one by one. Why? The principle of death works throughout his body until his life completely fades away, turning this once honorable man into nothing but dirt, dust.

Is there any escape from this cycle?

Nope!

Everything we see and touch, including our bodies, is destined to turn to dust because of Adam. Adam and Eve had children, but for what purpose? To keep the cycle going! They grow, work hard, and then die.

The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes captures this truth beautifully. Listen to this:

“Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”  Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 NKJV

Wow!

Then who can truly call this existence ‘life’? It’s not life but a process of dying. Is there any hope for humanity? Man is cursed, and now he is married to a cursed woman, bringing forth cursed children into this cursed earth. What is this? Can we really call it ‘life’?

The man leaves home to provide for his wife and children, but what he encounters outside is nothing but struggle, for “in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.” At the end of the day, he dreams of finding relief at home. But what does he find there? Another battle! The only difference from the struggles he faces outside is that the conflict at home cuts even deeper. Rest? Are you kidding? He might try to fool himself by thinking, “I’ll take my family on vacation,” but even the vacation adds to his already heavy burden. So, there’s no rest for him!

At the end of his workday, exhausted and drenched in sweat, gasping for air, the man longs for a place where he can be alone to rest or sleep, and so he heads home.

At home, his wife awaits him with her demands, requests, and desires. She says, “You are the head of this house. Lead us. I am your wife; show me love and care. Our children and I need you to guide us spiritually. Teach us about God, read the Bible to us, pray for each of our children before they go to bed, and pray for me too. Be the pastor and priest you’re supposed to be. Tell us, ‘Let’s go to church,’ and gather us together to take us there, and, and” . . . cont’d ///