After the man and the woman committed the first transgression at the snake’s trick, they did not die right away. Instead, God imposes punishments on each of them. Life was no longer pleasant. Life is full of pains, sufferings, and struggles for survival. Now, some contemporary people may wonder: Why did God punish them with life? Did he not have an easier option? Why did he not take their lives with death? Indeed, in our country Canada, we made euthanasia a legal right. And we try to expand it so that more people can choose death with ease. As we practise euthanasia, God did not have to cause violent deaths for the first man and woman. He could have simply taken their breath so that they did not have to suffer at all. Did he enjoy watching his creation suffering in pain?

For some people, pleasure and pain are the standards of life. Therefore, a life full of pain, or a life expecting lots of pain, is not worth living for them.

On the other hand, God wanted to restore the goodness of creation. His punishments were medicinal, not vindictive. Sins deserve death immediately. But God is merciful to us that he allows us to continue living. Struggles and pains remind us of our sinfulness. Although we live a life of suffering, we still live a life of opportunities to enter heaven, the restored creation. Therefore, life is a merciful blessing of the Lord, not a vengeful curse.