In this day and age, when capitalism and consumerism have seeped into the crevices of Christianity, I hold out a challenge to my brothers and sisters in Christ: let us not see ourselves as owners of this beautiful earth, but as stewards of its beauty.
The Verse (ESV)
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep (shamar) it.” — Genesis 2:15
The Deeper Meaning of Shamar
While “keep” might sound passive in modern English (like putting something on a shelf), the Hebrew word shamar is anything but passive. It’s active, sacred, and high-stakes. Throughout Scripture, it carries deep connotations:
- To Guard: As a sentinel watching over a city.
- To Protect: Like a shepherd shielding his flock from danger.
- To Preserve: As one would handle something holy.
- To Observe: Like faithfully keeping a covenant.
In Genesis 2:15, this word defines humanity’s role not as a user of the earth but as its Protector and Guardian.
This same word appears later in the Torah, used to describe the duties of Levitical priests guarding the Tabernacle. This suggests that Adam’s role in Eden wasn’t agricultural labor alone—it was priestly work. Eden was a sanctuary. And Adam was the first priest, safeguarding the temple of creation so that God’s presence could dwell within it.
Summary Table: Dimensions of Shamar
| Aspect | Meaning in Context | Application Today |
|---|---|---|
| Protective | To save from harm or ruin | Defending endangered species and ecosystems |
| Vigilant | To keep a watchful eye | Monitoring the health of our environment |
| Covenantal | To be faithful to a trust | Recognizing that we are accountable to the “Owner” |
A Personal Awakening
I have come to a place in my life where I tend to my gardens and the creation surrounding me with a tender, nurturing spirit. But this awareness came through sorrow.
Years ago, I sprayed Miracle-Gro on my garden. Later, I saw a bumblebee struggling to survive, its wings coated with the chemical. I gently picked it up and washed it off in my kitchen sink, tears flowing down my cheeks. I was devastated.
That moment changed me.
I vowed never to use poisonous chemicals again. My flowers haven’t suffered, and the bees have returned—especially to my Mexican Petunias, where they feast in abundance.
But why did I cry over a bee?
Because bees are struggling to survive under the weight of pesticides we so casually use. At a neighborhood event, a local beekeeper warned us: if bees go extinct, humanity may follow within nine years. That shook me.
So I beg you: even if you don’t care about bees, care about the next generation. Make organic gardening a priority. Treat your land as you are renting it from God. For it is His to begin with and to end with.
A Final Word
As I watch the bees dancing among my petunias, I’m reminded that this isn’t just about flowers or feelings. It’s about faithfulness.
We are tenants. Gardeners. Guardians. Priests.
And the Bible is clear: stewardship is not optional. It is sacred.
“The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”
—Revelation 11:18, ESV
Creation is not disposable. It is a sanctuary.
Let us keep it, as Adam was told to do. Let us shamar the garden, for His glory.