middlemonk

And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.

— Genesis 2:8.

A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches.

— Genesis 2:10.

It’s telling that I’m far more interested in what’s outside of Eden than what’s inside. Is the garden walled? Where do the rivers flow? If I were to follow the branches, where exactly would I end up? We’re two chapters in and it’s the negative space that’s captivated me the most.

And where was Adam, before he was placed into Eden? From where does God craft these wonderful things, and how do they make the journey from there to here? Part of me wants to explore these elements in meticulous Tolkien-like detail, but another part is happier to just appreciate the mystery.