There was a festival of mangoes. Various kinds of mangoes from many orchards around the country were displayed in Lucknow city. Disregarding announcements and signage, people began snatching the mangoes arranged for display and rushing toward the exits. The celebration of summer fruits ended on a sour note. Lack of civic sense and poor crowd management contributed to this chaos. (India Today, 8 July 2025)
Garden of Eden: God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) The Forbidden fruit was for display, not to be eaten. However, the first couple chose to eat, seduced by Satan, which brought the Fall of humanity.
Disregard for instructions: Human nature is to disregard the commandments. As Adam and Eve disobeyed the commandments, in the Festival of Mangoes, the participants did not follow or obey instructions. The placards stated that the mangoes are to be seen, not touched or eaten. There were announcements on the public address system. Yet, people chose to snatch, grab, steal, and run.
Disregard for others: The earth and its fullness belong to God. (Psalm 24:1) All things seen in this world belong to Him. All humans are temporary residents on this earth. Paul writes that humans bring nothing into this world and take nothing out. (I Timothy 6:7) All possessions that are not legally inherited or gifted, or earned, are considered stolen from God and others. The public, without realizing this truth, was stealing from the exhibition.
Disregard of civic sense: In the public space, all are expected to behave respectfully towards others and follow the common rules for the common good. In a selfish and unruly society, when the common sense of behavior is missing, there would be chaos and even a stampede.
Do I read, understand, and follow the instructions of God?