Eden Rivers Klein

Eden Rivers Klein
Born 2/19/09 at 11:48 am
6 lbs. 0 oz.
18 inches

The name Eden is a reference to the garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 2, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. … And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:8-10, 15

The Hebrew word ‘Eden’ means “pleasure or delight”. Hence, the garden of Eden was a place of great pleasure and delight. This was because man had an unbroken fellowship and relationship with God. “…they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8 This relationship existed until man sinned and was cast out of fellowship with God. “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Genesis 3:23-24

Since then everyone has inherited a sin nature that is passed down from Adam, the first man created. No one is exempt from this nature. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5 and “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12 This has separated us from knowing God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

We, as fallen humans, are in a desperate state from conception. The Bible explains our spiritual situation as “death”. (Ephesians 2:1-3) We are born spiritually dead, that is, we are all unable to do anything to please God, because our hearts are so hardened in sin and pride. (Romans 8:8) The only just action that could be taken is punishment. Our sins are infinitely evil because they are against God, who is infinitely holy, therefore, the punishment is infinite. The Bible calls this place of damnation ‘hell’. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17

Because of the severity of our condition, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 He explains that as we all were born physically to experience this life, so must we also all be born “again” spiritually in order to experience eternal life with God.

This reconciliation between each individual person and God, their Creator, is possible only by the finished work of Jesus Christ. This means that God became a man named Jesus born two thousand years ago. Jesus said that He came “to do the will of His Father”, which was to die, crucified on a cross for all who would believe on Him. By Jesus own authority, He laid down His own life, paying the penalty to redeem men back to God. He was raised from the dead three days later and went up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. He is now reigning as Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:30-36) He is the Sovereign King over all. This payment made by Jesus was of infinite value and is freely offered to all who come to Him. When a person repents of their sins and places their trust in Jesus Christ as the only merit they have for eternal life, this is evidence that they have been born of God. He has given them a new nature to love God and hate sin.

“… Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 41:17-18

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips” Psalm 63:1-5

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

God does not take delight to punish anyone. “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 He desires that all men everywhere be saved and commands them to. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

This is the reason that the name ‘Eden Rivers’ is of such importance to us. The true “rivers of pleasure” are found only in God. Both Julia and I have found this to be so and we desire that as our baby Eden grows up, he will be granted eternal life delighting in God, as well. Our sincere prayer to God is that you would consider these things and place your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. We love you all very much and are looking forward to watching with you this blessing from God grow up to be “a man after God’s own heart”.

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5



“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

You can see some pictures from his birthday here.

Grace and Peace to you all!

-Joshua and Julia Klein