But in Irish the words for ‘heaven’ and ‘poison’ are very similar and an innocent mistake by an English translator resulted in this place becoming known as ‘the Poisoned Glen’. At one end of a lake, nestled by hills, stands a derelict church, its roof gone.
This quiet spot could be a picture of what happened in the first few chapters of the Bible, only that was no innocent mistake.
The tempter convinced Adam and Eve that it would be even more heavenly than it already was in Eden to taste the knowledge contained in the forbidden fruit. The one forbidden from thousands generously allowed and given by the Creator who had blessed them.
They chose to disobey, and though the fruit initially tasted like heaven it quickly turned to poison. With their sin uncovered, innocence died and later so would they. Their friendship with their Maker was broken and they were driven from Paradise under a cloud of guilt and death.
Creation, though still majestic, lies ruined as a result.
Temptation hasn’t changed. What tasted heavenly at evening has our hearts and lives poisoned by morning! People everywhere suffer from compromised love and self-centred desperation, trying to fill the void of distance from the loving Father-heart of the Creator.
Adam and Eve didn’t need Specsavers. They should’ve just listened to God!
As should we.
And He says we need a Saviour.
One Who could reverse the effects of evil and sin and reconcile us to our Maker. This is precisely what He gave us in His Son Jesus. Check out Colossians 1 vs 13,14,19+20 in the New Testament.
Paradise is being restored. Resurrection world will be heavenly again.
See you there!