Humanity’s struggle with God’s presence on earth begins in Eden, or rather, just beyond Eden. We stand on the outside of paradise looking in. A flaming sword reminds us that we have been cut off from God’s Holy Presence because we wanted to be in control. From that day forward God has poured everything into bringing humanity back to Eden. The garden is not literally under construction behind a privacy fence somewhere, but everything Eden represents is not only God’s original intent for creation, it is God’s final intent. Old Testament scholar Dr. Sandra Richter boils it down to three words: people, place, and presence. Eden represents the place where the people of God can dwell securely with full access to the loving presence of God who desires to dwell with us.