We begin with Paradise. In Genesis 2:16, we read: 'And the Lord God commanded the man, saying.' In addition, later (3:11), 'Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?'

Note how obedience to the command is the one virtue of Paradise, the one condition of man's abiding there, the one thing his Creator asks of him. Nothing is said of faith, humility, or love: obedience includes all. As supreme as is the claim and authority of God is the demand for obedience as the one thing that is to decide his destiny. In the life of man, to obey is the one thing needful. God requires obedience from his prophets and servants at all time!