The Ancient Witnesses

108 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

“Maybe not,” said Father Greg, “but there are sacramental elements are there.” “Like what?” asked Joseph. “There’s a river,” said the priest, “does that remind you of anything? “Well, it’s not the Jordan River,” I said, “but it reminds me of baptism.” “Excellent” said Father Greg, “There’s gold and precious stones there too,” said Cesar, “like offerings.” “There are sacrifices mentioned in chapter 4,” Joseph added. “Listen to this,” I said, reading over Father Greg’s shoulder, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, 41 —it’s a wedding!” “Precisely,” agreed Father Greg, “sacrifice, worship, even a wedding, here in the opening chapters of Genesis. Then, in Exodus we read about the tabernacle with its holy place and holy of holies, built according to God’s design; and in Leviticus we read about what happens when someone offers strange fire on the altar…” “So what?” Preacher interrupted. “It’s an interpretation, Edward,” said Father Greg. “The Syrian witnesses view the garden as a temple or sanctuary, and the forbidden fruit as a type of veil preventing Adam and Eve from eating from the tree of life.” “That’s not how I pictured it,” said Preacher, shaking his head.

41 Genesis 2:24 (ESV).