the cost for companionship
is there a story that entertains, educates, tells the truth about human nature, and never gets old? the answer is yes. a story thousands of years old holds the title. the story being that of adam and eve and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
the tale of adam and eve’s eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil tells us so much about humanity. beyond humanity’s nature to defy authority, we learn of the cost of companion. while the initial partnership was between man and woman, the lessons learned from the episode go far beyond mere male-female relations.
the story is finally capped off with human nature’s reaction to accusation. with this, the story reveals that we act to blame others for our short comings.
to further discuss, let’s recap a portion of this masterpiece. god expressly prohibited man from eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. man and woman, in collaboration, defy the edict. the woman taking action after the influence of a third party, the talking snake. with the consumption of the fruit, they realize that their nakedness was shameful.
the story moves on, genesis 3: lines 9-13, “and the lord god called to man, and he said to him, “where are you?” and he said, “i heard Your voice in the garden, and i was afraid because i am naked; so i hid.” and the man said, “the woman whom you gave [to be] with me she gave me of the tree; so i ate.” and the lord god said to the woman, “what is this that you have done?” and the woman said, “the serpent enticed me, and i ate.”
entertainment? absolutely.
a horror? nothing is scarier than a psycho drama with a parental figure searching out a child who has wronged even animals fear in trepidation when they are being sought and confronted by their owners for a wrongful act.
a comedy? yes. leave it to adam to “chutzpah.” he blames god for his misstep! after all, it was the woman he was provided that caused the problem? the comedy goes further as each points their fingers at others for the blame.
a crime? yes. the master of the universe shows his skills in eliciting multiple confessions
a tragedy? yes. the story educates us on the human condition. companionship comes with a cost. the desire to be in a companionship shift the power dynamics in the relationship. one may be so desiring of the companionship that they may bend their “moral compass” to foster the partnership. likewise, with relationships, the notion of “peer pressure” can also exist. “peer pressure” can bend or break a “moral compass.” the snake, in the story, held this role.
there are two lessons to be learned by the greatest story ever told. first, it is important to have a moral code independent of your relationships as, with companionship, there is the risk of immoral or questionable acts. [comment: this is perhaps why god made a book of instruction aka torah] second, the choice of both spouse, partners or friends is of import for one’s moral being. one should associate with individuals who elevate them in goodness rather than associate with ones who wish to bring them down.
be well!!
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