The Fall

Scripture:

Genesis 3


Summary:

The serpent planted the idea to question God in the woman’s mind (“did God actually say....”). The woman responded to the serpent’s question about what God had “actually” said by adding to the commandment God gave. (God did not say “neither shall you touch it” in the command given to Adam in chapter 2).

After planting the idea to question God in the woman’s mind, the serpent then challenged God’s command by saying, in effect, “Uh-uh, no way. You won’t die.” He stops just short of saying God lied (although that can certainly be implied), and instead tells her something else will happen (“you will be like God”). The woman, seeing this [wisdom] as quite an attractive option, is also attracted to the look of the tree, and succumbs to the temptation to disobey God. She quickly gets her husband to join her. And at that point in time, everything changed. Everything.

Suddenly, the man and the woman are insecure in their nakedness. They are afraid of God, and try to hide from Him (which is impossible). God, when walking in the garden, asked the man where he was and the man replied honestly (”I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself”).

I find what happened next most interesting. God asked the man a question. And the man deflected responsibility - to the woman. Then God asked the woman a question. And the woman also deflected responsibility - to the serpent. At this point, God cursed the serpent, then the woman, and then the man. Then God made the man and the woman garments of animal skin and sent them from the garden.


Speculation:

In reading this passage, there are several questions that come to mind:

1) Where was the breakdown in communication of God’s command regarding the tree?

Scripture does not tell us how Adam (the man) told Eve (the woman) about God’s command, so we don’t know if he communicated it correctly to her. Regardless of where the breakdown in communication of the command occurred (between Adam and Eve or between Eve and the serpent), there is certainly implied support for the importance of reading and studying God’s commandments for ourselves and not relying on others to spoon-feed it to us. :)

2) Why did God ask the man where he was and why he was hiding?

God knows everything; He already knew the answers to these questions. It seems to me that God wanted the man and the woman to be aware that He knew they had sinned, and that their decision to do so had impacted their relationship with Him. God had not severed the intimacy of the relationship, the actions of the man and the woman had done this.

3) Why did God curse the serpent, the woman, and the man?

God was informing them of the consequences of their actions. He was also letting them know that He had a plan, and that ultimately the serpent (and sin itself) would be defeated and restoration of relationship with God would occur through the redeeming work of Jesus!

4) Why did God make animal skin coverings for the man and the woman?

I think for two reasons. One, because man cannot atone for his sin (Adam’s efforts to cover himself with leaves were futile). And two, because atonement for sin comes through sacrifice.

5) Why did God send the man and the woman from the garden?

Because of His great love for them and for us

. He knew that His beloved creation was now living in a broken and fallen state, and if they had then eaten from the tree of life, they would have to live in that state forever. I think He loved them too much to let them live in such a state forever. He had a plan for their restoration, and by sending them away He was protecting them.

Some questions for personal reflection:
How do you define sin?
What impact has sin had on your relationships (with people, with God)?
What have been other consequences of sin in your life?
How do you handle sin?


Supplication:

Thank You, Father, for giving us the opportunity and the strength to turn from sin and to live fully for You! It is so humbling that in Your holiness You still desire intimate relationship with us! Please show us what areas of our lives are keeping us from experiencing true, life-changing, moment-by-moment intimacy with You each day. For each woman reading this, I pray she would know You more today than yesterday, and more tomorrow than today, and for any one reading this who does not yet know You, I pray You would bring conviction, repentance, and salvation. Thank You for hearing and answering the cries of our hearts! I love You!