A.Be reminded, before looking to Chapter Three, that human beings are in the image of God -- Having intellect so as to be able know God, emotions so as to be able love God, and a will to choose to obey God.

B.God's covenant with Adam and Eve in effect was a covenant with all mankind (for at the time there were only two people), therefore it was with all their descendents.

1.It involved a relationship with Deity, the nature of which was left to the decision of the creatures.

a.It could be the fellowship of speaking with God, working for and with Him, being obedient to Him.

b.Or estrangement, because of failure to be perfect.

2.Thus it was a covenant of works (humanity was responsible to do the will of God), but it was also a covenant of grace (because everything was provided by God's grace).

3.The first two missed the mark (and so have we missed it).(This statement does not imply original sin. The doctrine of original sin will be discussed in another section of this website. The teachings from the Bible do indicate that all have sinned Rom 6:23, but that the choice to sin is made by each individual Ezek 18:20, and nobody is imputed sin because of another person.cs)

a.Just one miss, and one will never be perfect.

b.Jesus Christ is the only One to keep perfectly the covenant of works - 1Pe 2:22.

c.Therefore He was qualified to pay the price for our failure, which He did - Rom 5:8; Heb 2:8-9.

d.Thus through redemption, we are accepted into the coveant of grace - Eph 1:7; H/B/R/C/B/F.

e.Or, if we so choose, we can reject the Father's grace, and be in the only other fellowship there is -- That of the enemy of God/man, Satan, who now appears in Gen 3.

4.Someone might say, "I choose to opt out of all this; You believe it if you wish, but I don't."

a.No; You cannot opt out, for you are a human being; It's true that you have a choice, but you must make a choice.

b.You can bow the knee to God and confess now, to your joy and eternal happiness - Phi 2:9-12; 1:21,23.

c.Or you will bow the knee to Him and confess then, to your sorrow and eternal regret - Rom 14:11-12; 2:4-11.

C.Thus the foundation for the story of human redemption is laid right here in the first chapters in the Bible.

D.There is a break here, so recall the outline:

1.PRIMITIVE HISTORY: BEGINNING OF THE HUMAN RACE; CREATIVE ACTS OF GOD; FOUR GREAT EVENTS -- CHAPTERS 1-11.

A.This is a record of the first 2,000 years of man's history (it uses only 20% of the Book of Genesis).

B.Four major events lay the foundation for the rest of Genesis, and indeed, for the rest of the Bible:

SECOND MAJOR EVENT:

SIN - Chapters 3-5.

(The wonderful creation story is followed by the sad corruption story, and the resulting separation of man from God - cf Isa 59:2.)

GENESIS, CHAPTER THREE

3:1 NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTLE THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. AND HE SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YEA, HATH GOD SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?

A.The "beginning" of temptation, as the lying/murdering tempter appears in the disguise of a snake (he's not the character in the red suit, with horns and a pitchfork - cf 1Pe 5:8-9).

B.The snake would soon be cursed, suggesting to us that anything connected with Satan is in for trouble (eventually).

C.We do not know how he traveled when he came (some suggest he stood upright on two legs), but we will see he crawled away.

D.Up until now, the animals had not been harmful in any way to Adam and Eve or to each other, so Eve was not afraid.

E.Satan is not omnipresent, like God, but he has many spirits working with him through whom he can lie to us - cf Ac 5:3.

F.He hates God and wants to destroy the human creatures God made, so he planned to deceive the woman.

G.Note that he began by wanting to "discuss God's Word."

  1. He knew the answer to his question, and he did not care what God had said; he was attempting to cast doubt on God's Word -- This seems to be one of his favorite tactics.
  2. He hates God and he hates God's Word - 2Co 4:4.
  3. So, beware of anything which would tend to make us think we are so intelligent/capable we can be independent of God.
  4. Or anything which gives a good/pleasant/attractive connotation to something that really is evil.
  5. Anything which exalts killing/lying/stealing, or which glorifies filthy language or immorality.
  6. Anything that denies God's existence, or even "waters down" the teaching of the Bible.
  7. Satan is behind all these things and the people who promote them, no matter how innocent/popular/harmless they seem.

3:2 AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN:

3:3 BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH [IS] IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HATH SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, LEST YE DIE.

A.There is no record of God's saying not to touch the tree, so the devil may have already had Eve a little confused.

B.Everything was still all right -- It is no sin to be tempted.

  1. She and Adam had everything they needed, and Adam's position was that of manager over all God's beautiful creation.
  2. They had perfect friendship and fellowship with God and with each other -- We want to yell, "Don't lose it, Eve!"

3:4 AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE:

A.He denied the consequence God said would come: So this is the "beginning" of lies - cf Jn 8:44.

B.He was lying, and was calling God a liar; Moved past casting doubt; Now was denying truth -- Another of his tactics.

3:5 FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.

A.Satan pointed to "benefits," but concealed his purpose.

B.Covered his real purpose: Suggested God was jealous of their mental capacity, and wanted to withhold something from them.

C.Wanted Eve to believe that she did not need God to tell her what was right and what was wrong.

D.So, he questioned (v1); Contradicted (v4); And insulted (v5).(Another note to consider is the fact that people who recognize the soverignty of God are subject to God. If perchance they could equalize their standing with God, then would not be forced into subjection. The temptation of Satan was that very fact "you shall be as Gods" suggestion not a singular Deity to which we pay homage, but polytheism that teaches we are all gods in one form or another. Some versions use the singular "God" in place of "Gods" suggesting an equality with God. This right is only reserved for God in the form of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The right is also in the form of a promise to all who are faithful and obedient to God and His will that will be realized after the great judgement day in the future. cs)

3:6 AND WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE TREE [WAS] GOOD FOR FOOD, AND THAT IT [WAS] PLEASANT TO THE EYES, AND A TREE TO BE DESIRED TO MAKE [ONE] WISE, SHE TOOK OF THE FRUIT THEREOF, AND DID EAT, AND GAVE ALSO UNTO HER HUSBAND WITH HER; AND HE DID EAT.

A.First there was the temptation, then there was the yielding.

B.Appeal to flesh/eye/intellect (will/pride) - cf 1Jn 2:15-17.

  1. Wants to ease us further and further from will of God.
  2. God has always made successful resistance possible - Gen 2:17; 3:3; 1Cor 10:13; Jas 4:7-8a.

C.Satan misuses truth: All this was true, and there was nothing wrong with the three things he caused Eve to see; The wrong was in the disobedience to a positive law.

D.Consider EVE: She was deceived - v13; 1Ti 2:14.

  1. So, she was the original transgressor, the leader, and Paul gives this as one reason why she is not allowed to lead in matters pertaining to God - cf 1Co 11:3.
  2. NOTE: This is not the only reason; Another is 1Ti 2:13.

E.Consider ADAM: He was not deceived - 1Ti 2:14; But he quietly ate with Eve; This raises the question WHY?

  1. Wanted to be independent of God ("think for himself")?
  2. Perceived Eve would be smarter than he if he did not eat?
  3. Knew the consequence: Not want to be separated from her?
  4. May be other conjectures: Bible does not reveal the answer.
  5. But whatever the answer, instead of God's being first in Adam's heart, Adam now made himself first.
  6. (There are several lessons we can learn from this one verse. Notice that Eve was hanging around this tree. From the description in Chapter Two of the Garden, we understand that it was pretty large. Of the possible thousands of trees to be hanging around, why choose this one? Also we note that Adam is also hanging around, but apparently Adam does not hear Satan, or if he did, it is not acknowledged. Our lesson is to abstain from every form of evil, 1 Thess 5:22. Paul admonished the Corinthians to remove themselves from the evil ones, to come out from their midst 2 Cor. 6:17 quoting Isa. 52:11. Remember the movie "Forrest Gump"? He says that life is like a box of chocolates, you don't know what is inside until you bite into one, then it is too late. Eve looks upon the fruit with the same excitement that one would want to devour a chocolate candy. Her every desire was wrapped up in her selfish desires, and quite obviously, Adam had the same desires. cs)

3:7 AND THE EYES OF THEM BOTH WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY [WERE] NAKED; AND THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS.

A.They did not immediately drop dead, but they recognized they had separated themselves from God (spiritual death).

B.This brought guilty conscience, shame, and fear; Soon their peace and joy would be replaced with labor, pain, trouble.

C.Note that sin immediately suggests the covering of clothes to good people -- Why don't animals seek clothing? -- They cannot sin before God, and therefore have no shame before Him.

3:8 AND THEY HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY: AND ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES OF THE GARDEN.

(The apparently have not read Psalm 139 <grin>. And also, it must be recognized that God made His presence known to Adam and Eve in the same fashion each time. This apparently was not a one time approach by God, but a regular visit. As the angels announced the Savior, so there must have been a grand procession upon the entrance of God. Today, we need to realize that God is already present, and we are the ones that come into His presense. We are all in the view of God, and he watches us continually, but in another sense, we appraoch the throne of God in our prayers and our worship, and He will accept our worship and prayers if we are faithful.cs).

3:9 AND THE LORD GOD CALLED UNTO ADAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE [ART] THOU?

(The Lord was not asking where Adam was because Adam could not be seen. No, it was for the benefit of Adam that the question is put forth. Notice that Adam will answer probably because he realizes that God has no limitations or vision as to his whereabouts.cs)

3:10 AND HE SAID, I HEARD THY VOICE IN THE GARDEN, AND I WAS AFRAID, BECAUSE I [WAS] NAKED; AND I HID MYSELF.

(If only we could have the same response of fear come over us when we recognize that we sin. Yes we should be afraid. We have sinned against our God, and He is not pleased. Many times in History, our God demonstrated His displeasure in the form of wrath. God struck down many people in History for violating His laws. Most demonstrations were for the purpose of letting others see that they cannot get away with sin. We should learn from the past Rom 15:4 and not fall into the same error 1 Cor 10:6,11. But since God does not punish physically today, most people assume that God does not care, does not get upset anymore, or does not recognize anything as wrong. That assumption will become null and void on judgement day. All will give and account 2 Cor 5:10.cs)

3:11 AND HE SAID, WHO TOLD THEE THAT THOU [WAST] NAKED? HAST THOU EATEN OF THE TREE, WHEREOF I COMMANDED THEE THAT THOU SHOULDEST NOT EAT?

A.Human beings are creatures of God who therefore belong to Him, and are responsible to Him; Each responsible one will answer for our thoughts/deeds in this life - Rom 14:12.

B.God was going to have to punish them, but He still loved them, and wanted them to agree with Him that they had done wrong in believing Satan instead of Him.

C.God's questions seem to be an effort to get Adam to commit himself, to acknowledge his sin, and to agree that all that God had said to them was the truth.

D.When we look at the universe, God is telling us He is the Creator, that the creation is for us, that He love us, and He wants us to listen to Him and love Him - Psa 19:1-3.

E.These thoughts are put into words in His revelation, which we are obligated to read; When we read we learn that He is greater/wiser/more powerful than we, and we need to know Him.

3:12 AND THE MAN SAID, THE WOMAN WHOM THOU GAVEST [TO BE] WITH ME, SHE GAVE ME OF THE TREE, AND I DID EAT.

**This is not penitence, but arrogance -- "passing the buck."Adam actually blames God for his sin, because it was the woman whom God gave to Adam. Ezek 18:20 "the person who sins will die". There will be no blaming of others or events or situations. The best we can do is to acknowledge our sin and beg forgiveness, and God is faithful who will offer that forgiveness 1 John 1:9 cs)

3:13 AND THE LORD GOD SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, WHAT [IS] THIS [THAT] THOU HAST DONE? AND THE WOMAN SAID, THE SERPENT BEGUILED ME, AND I DID EAT.

A.Again questions: To get Eve's commitment/acknowledgment.

B.She also pointed the finger, but did acknowledge she sinned.

3:14 AND THE LORD GOD SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS, THOU [ART] CURSED ABOVE ALL CATTLE, AND ABOVE EVERY BEAST OF THE FIELD; UPON THY BELLY SHALT THOU GO, AND DUST SHALT THOU EAT ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE:

A.We don't understand, or even know anything, about the snake's ability to talk, and perhaps walk.

B.Apparently this creature was willing to be used by God's enemy, and thus defy its Creator.

C.He is now sentenced to crawl and slide on its belly, with its head on the ground.

3:15 AND I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN THY SEED AND HER SEED; IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD, AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL.

A.Perhaps the primary reference is to the natural enmity between human beings (especially women?) and snakes.

B.But many students think it is a gleam of hope of redemption, a vague prophecy of the coming Messiah - cf Gal 4:4-5.

C.If so, then whereas Satan probably thought he had beaten God and would now control the world and all its people, he would learn that no one can win against the Almighty.

D.God could have left Adam and Eve to die and go to eternity apart from Him, but He is gracious, and immediately He began speaking of, and providing for, human redemption - cf Psa 145:8, THE LORD [IS] GRACIOUS, AND FULL OF COMPASSION; SLOW TO ANGER, AND OF GREAT MERCY.(Let us not forget that by this time, God already had His divine plan of redemption in place. The study of the Ephesian letter teaches that the plans for redemption were laid before the foundation of the world and before God ever said "let there be light" or "let us make man". It never was a condition of "if" man would sin, but "when" man would sin, and God had prepared before hand, even before we became sinners, even before Adam became a sinner. As God speaks in Rom 5:8 "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". This statement makes it personal upon each of us and we have a responsiblity to God to respond to His conditions for redemption. cs)

3:16 UNTO THE WOMAN HE SAID, I WILL GREATLY MULTIPLY THY SORROW AND THY CONCEPTION; IN SORROW THOU SHALT BRING FORTH CHILDREN; AND THY DESIRE [SHALL BE] TO THY HUSBAND, AND HE SHALL RULE OVER THEE.

A.The consequence of being deceived: She and all future mothers would suffer the pain of childbirth.

B.THY DESIRE SHALL BE TO THY HUSBAND: Yet she would continue to want to bear children to him?

C.HE SHALL RULE OVER THEE: Her husband would have authority over her, but he would have no right to mistreat her, or to treat (or consider) her as inferior (ONE FLESH) - 1Co 11:3.

3:17 AND UNTO ADAM HE SAID, BECAUSE THOU HAST HEARKENED UNTO THE VOICE OF THY WIFE, AND HAST EATEN OF THE TREE, OF WHICH I COMMANDED THEE, SAYING, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT: CURSED [IS] THE GROUND FOR THY SAKE; IN SORROW SHALT THOU EAT [OF] IT ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE;

3:18 THORNS ALSO AND THISTLES SHALL IT BRING FORTH TO THEE; AND THOU SHALT EAT THE HERB OF THE FIELD;

3:19 IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE SHALT THOU EAT BREAD, TILL THOU RETURN UNTO THE GROUND; FOR OUT OF IT WAST THOU TAKEN: FOR DUST THOU [ART], AND UNTO DUST SHALT THOU RETURN.

A.Sin impacted not only the sinners, but their environment; The beautiful Garden was changed -- All of the bad things in the world now (sickness, pain, weakness, hard work, bad weather, insect pests, weeds, sorrow, grief, death) are in existence because of disobedience to God.

B.Note the consequence of transgression while Adam was alive:

  1. Loss of the pleasantness/fruitfulness of the work of 2:15.
  2. The ground would not respond as before; There would be hindrances to success; Work would become hard/frustrating.

C.The eventual consequence: Death, and the return of his body to the earth from which it was taken - cf 2:17.

3:20 AND ADAM CALLED HIS WIFE'S NAME EVE; BECAUSE SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF ALL LIVING.

A.EVE: Literally, "Life-Spring."

B.Adam and Eve are the parents of all people - Ac 17:26.

C.All people die because we suffer the consequence (not the guilt) of Adam's sin.

3:21 UNTO ADAM ALSO AND TO HIS WIFE DID THE LORD GOD MAKE COATS OF SKINS, AND CLOTHED THEM.

A.God was gracious in providing what they could not provide.

B.Note that only God can make man acceptable in His sight.

C.Also note that blood had to be shed because of sin; God demands life (in death) as the payment for sin - Rom 6:23.

D.This is the first suggestion of the occurrence of death.

3:22 AND THE LORD GOD SAID, BEHOLD, THE MAN IS BECOME AS ONE OF US, TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL: AND NOW, LEST HE PUT FORTH HIS HAND, AND TAKE ALSO OF THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT, AND LIVE FOR EVER:

A.ONE OF US: Again the Godhead comes into view, as there is a "heavenly conference" about the creatures.

B.TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL:

C.LIVE FOR EVER: Obviously as long as they ate of THE TREE OF LIFE, their lives would be sustained; That condition was now going to be altered.

  1. It would be a bleak outlook to have to remain forever where sin has wrecked creation, and where all the evil people of all time were still alive!
  2. Thus death can be a release from evil, and therefore putting the pair out of the Garden was actually an act of mercy on God's part - cf Phi 1:21,23.

3:23 THEREFORE THE LORD GOD SENT HIM FORTH FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN, TO TILL THE GROUND FROM WHENCE HE WAS TAKEN.

3:24 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.

A.CHERUBIMS: A high type of angels, associated in the O.T. with the presence of God Himself (e.g., God met His people in the Tabernacle at the ark, between the cherubim).

B.The pair were now cut off from the TREE OF LIFE; There was no possible way back, so they would have to grow old and die.

C.Story of the Bible centers around the TREE OF LIFE lost and regained; The curse of Gen 3 is reversed in Rev 22:1-5; 21:4.

D.The Story has now moved from Generation to Degeneration.

  1. When man quit obeying God (e.i., stopped showing faith), he was caught by the devil, and lost in sin.
  2. But provision for Regeneration was to be made (perhaps a dim promise in Gen 3:15), so that what was lost in Adam is more than regained in Christ - Rev 22:14.

E.Adam and Eve were like most young people and a great many adults -- They wanted to determine right/wrong according to their own wishes; They liked the thought of being "like God."

  1. They failed to see that their real freedom was within the limitations of the law, under God's control.
  2. That inclined them to be rebels, and when Satan gave the temptation, tragically they fell into his trap, and were alienated from God, from sweet fellowship.
  3. God keeps His Word, so the punishment had to come, and their beautiful relationship with God was dead.
  4. Illustrate their condition with that of a beautiful branch broken off a tree; Separation from the source of life begins the process which leads to total decay of the body.

F.Sometimes it is asked: "What would have been the state of man had he continued in obedience to God?" We do not know, but we assume he would not grow old, and would not die.

G.Someone suggested signs of their separation from God:

1.Their attitude toward their bodies changed.

a.Before they disobeyed, they were naked but unembarrassed before God.

b.When their minds came to know evil, then they were embarrassed for God to see them naked.

2.They tried to provide their own needs.

a.Before they were separated from God, they trusted Him to provide everything they needed.

b.But now they made clothes for themselves from fig leaves.

3.They were uncomfortable in the presence of God.

a.Before sin, they enjoyed the close association with Him.

b.Now they were ashamed, and tried to hide from Him.

H.An Unknown Author commented on the first three chapters this way: "The importance of the first three chapters of the Bible is the setting of the backgrounds and establishing the occa-sion for the entire story of redemption. It is, as it were, 'setting the plot for the story.' We have revealed to us the story of creation, how man came into existence, the love of God expressed in the Garden of Eden, the nature of man and his problems in his start in life, his temptation and sin, and the resulting alienation from God through the imposing of the death penalty. The need for redemption is now apparent. The conflict between sin and righteousness, Satan and God, the weakness of man and his nobler aspirations to do good, are all in bold array, and the need for further study of the Bible is obvious. What will God do next? What will become of man, the finest expression of God's glorious creation? That is the lesson of Genesis, Chapters 1-3."

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