Where art thou? These were God’s first words, to the first sinners. What lovely words they are. They are true for any of us.
He is always calling out for us. He knows where we are, but He wants us to come out from hiding. He wants us to come to Him, to receive His grace and mercy.
Now, of course Adam and Eve suffered loss. They lost incredible privileges, including the ability to fellowship with God personally. This is a rigvht that was only restored for all mankind when the veil was torn in two, at Christ’s death. Now, people must only repent and receive His forgiveness for their sins. They must believe that Jesus Christ – God in flesh – took the punishment for their sins. He died in our place, on the cross, and then He rose from the dead.
This was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. He was not caught by surprise. He knew exactly what Adam and Eve would do. He gave them freedom, however, so they would nto be forced to come to Him. It’s a personal choice for anyone to be reconciled to God, and forgiven for their sin.
Notice, too that He called unto Adam. He didn’t wait for Adam to come to his senses. God immediately came down, knowing His children had sinned. He called out, just as he has been crying out to people ever since. It is not the harsh, angry cry of the tyrant. It is a cry filled with emotion, sensing the doomed state of the one that does not return to Him. It is the pitying cry of a loving, Heavenly Father, who knows that His children are hurting, and is pleading with them to come to Him and be healed.
So it is that God, in His infinite, unchanging love, came down. He called out, just as He would come down and call to others to receive Him in His earthly ministry. And, just as He calls out to everyone today. He cries out to them, to come to Him int heir lost condition. He longs to put His loving arms around them. He longs for them to come out of hiding, so He can restore them. Yes, He must chasten sometimes, but only be removing blessings and rewards from the saved. And, only because in doing so, He is helping us to be more loving, more compassionate, more of all that He is. Because, he is a God of mercy. His justice is forever mingled with his grace.
It began right here. When God called out to Adam, knowing what Adam and Eve had done, and yet wanting to restore that relationship as best He could, while still punishing sin. Every action has consequences, but He never intended for one of those consequences to be the dooming of mankind. He has always wanted to restore, so much so that He would ultimately come down Himself. He would come Himself, after many, many lambs were slain as pictures of what He would do. He came down Himself, as the ultimate Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ge. 3:8
Adam and Eve finally heard the voice of the Lord. David was the same way when Nathan finally confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba, and all the other sin that came from it. If he had only turned away. Indeed, if he had only confessed to Urriah. Had he merely repented, “Urriah, I’m sorry, I sinned against your wife and you; I have sinned against my Lord,” would Urriah not have forgiven him? King David would have had to live with what he’d done. Urriah and Bathsheba probably would have raised their son with David never seeing or knowing about him, for God would certainly not have sanctioned the stoning of the King. It would have been as when Joseph, being a just man, didn’t want to make Mary a public example, and considered putting her away privately, before learning she was pregnant of the Holy Ghost. (Matt. 1:20) But, King David still would have been saved many troubles. It would have been a beautiful picture of God’s mercy. The Law was put in place so we might see God’s grace and mercy once we come to Him in repentance and receive it. But he didn’t, and he suffered horribly. His family became all messed up because of it.
In the same way, Adam and Eve sinned. In the heat of passion, they had acted, and now, in the cool of the day, they heard the voice of the Lord. They realized that they, too, had fallen short of His perfect glory. They had no idea of the total cost, either. But, they felt they had to hide, too! Many sins are made worse by not coming out and confessing right away. The Law sounds harsh, but only because we fall so short of it. There is none righteous; no, not one. (Rom. 3:10)
Notice, however, that in His love, the Lord God still came down and was walking in the Garden. It would have been so easy for God to forget them. He could have zapped them right there. He could have made everything new, with the next people being robots that had to worship Him. But, He didn’t.
He wants people to worship Him because they want to. He wants to show them that love and compassion that is such a part of Him. This is why He was in the garden, so he could reach out to them. When he reaches down, people have three choices.
1. The proper choice is to receive Him. He stands at the door of each heart and knocks. (Rev. 3:20) He wants to be invited in to each person’s life. He wants people to come to Him just as they are. It was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8) We have all come short of God’s perfect love and glory. We simply need to accept that, and let Him cleanse us. We must let Him make us new. (2 Cor. 5:17) We need to do that at first to be forgiven, so we can escape God’s judgment and go to Heaven. But, then we must do it once we’re saved to restore the fellowship. Saved people will always be saved, and part of the family of God. But, He can’t touch sin. So, He comes down to the saved, also, and guides them in the path He has that is best for them. And, to lovingly guide them back if they stray.
2. Too many people try to reach up to God. That’s what religion is. God doesn’t want religion. He wants a relationship. But, when He walks in the Garden of our lives, to either save or to restore the relationship, too often we try on our own merits to please Him. He desires mercy, though, and not sacrifice. (Ho 6:6, Mat. 9:13) He doesn’t want people to come in their own righteousness. He wants people to admit they are sinners and unable to do anything on their own to restore that relationship with God. It’s all by His grace.
3. Other people try to do what Adam and Eve did. They hide. Some feel they have done something so horrible that they can’t be forgiven. However, that is impossible. If your conscience is bothered, then you are capable of being forgiven, if you just come to Christ. He is not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance. (1 Pet. 3:9) However, some don’t want to accept guilt for they they’ve done. This is what Adam and Eve were like. They were afraid of God’s judgment, because that perfect love that they had felt was gone. But, they tried to get around it, instead of coming right to God, confessing, and forsaking. They would have still suffered consequences, but it would have been much better than the fear they felt when they hid.
Mankind can never get high enough to reach God. He must come down for us. When He comes down, and urges us to come to Him, we must never hide, or try to work our way to Him. We must simply come, just as we are, with nothing of ourselves. We must admit that we can only cling to that old, rugged cross.
In the same way, Adam and Eve sinned. In the heat of passion, they had acted, and now, in the cool of the day, they heard the voice of the Lord. They realized that they, too, had fallen short of His perfect glory. They had no idea of the total cost, either. But, they felt they had to hide, too! Many sins are made worse by not coming out and confessing right away. The Law sounds harsh, but only because we fall so short of it. There is none righteous; no, not one. (Rom. 3:10)
Notice, however, that in His love, the Lord God still came down and was walking in the Garden. It would have been so easy for God to forget them. He could have zapped them right there. He could have made everything new, with the next people being robots that had to worship Him. But, He didn’t.
He wants people to worship Him because they want to. He wants to show them that love and compassion that is such a part of Him. This is why He was in the garden, so he could reach out to them. When he reaches down, people have three choices.
1. The proper choice is to receive Him. He stands at the door of each heart and knocks. (Rev. 3:20) He wants to be invited in to each person’s life. He wants people to come to Him just as they are. It was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8) We have all come short of God’s perfect love and glory. We simply need to accept that, and let Him cleanse us. We must let Him make us new. (2 Cor. 5:17) We need to do that at first to be forgiven, so we can escape God’s judgment and go to Heaven. But, then we must do it once we’re saved to restore the fellowship. Saved people will always be saved, and part of the family of God. But, He can’t touch sin. So, He comes down to the saved, also, and guides them in the path He has that is best for them. And, to lovingly guide them back if they stray.
2. Too many people try to reach up to God. That’s what religion is. God doesn’t want religion. He wants a relationship. But, when He walks in the Garden of our lives, to either save or to restore the relationship, too often we try on our own merits to please Him. He desires mercy, though, and not sacrifice. (Ho 6:6, Mat. 9:13) He doesn’t want people to come in their own righteousness. He wants people to admit they are sinners and unable to do anything on their own to restore that relationship with God. It’s all by His grace.
3. Other people try to do what Adam and Eve did. They hide. Some feel they have done something so horrible that they can’t be forgiven. However, that is impossible. If your conscience is bothered, then you are capable of being forgiven, if you just come to Christ. He is not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance. (1 Pet. 3:9) However, some don’t want to accept guilt for they they’ve done. This is what Adam and Eve were like. They were afraid of God’s judgment, because that perfect love that they had felt was gone. But, they tried to get around it, instead of coming right to God, confessing, and forsaking. They would have still suffered consequences, but it would have been much better than the fear they felt when they hid.
Mankind can never get high enough to reach God. He must come down for us. When He comes down, and urges us to come to Him, we must never hide, or try to work our way to Him. We must simply come, just as we are, with nothing of ourselves. We must admit that we can only cling to that old, rugged cross.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Gen. 3:7
The eyes of them both were opened: The sad tale of the Fall was complete. They now knew what sin was. Their eyes were open, and they learned that God’s Word was true. And, they found out that it was a lot better back in the state of Grace they were in. The best place for anyone to be is in the center of God’s will.
The first man and woman had fallen from God’s grace. Now, instead of always being able to fellowship with God, they were totally cut off from Him. They had died spiritually. That part of them that could interact with God easily was gone.
What would they do? The two were alone, in a world that suddenly seemed so strange to them. Everything must have seemed different, because they noticed something that hadn’t been a problem before. It was something that couldn’t’ cross their minds, in their innocent state. As noted, they had no lustful thoughts, no reason to hide themselves. Suddenly, they felt the sensation they’d never felt. They knew they were naked. And, they needed to hide.
We don’t know exactly how they realized this. They had to have studied their physical appearances, though. At the very least, they had looked at each other – hence the reason I think they would have eaten the fruit together. So, what does this mean, that they knew they were naked? What changed about their image of themselves?
One, I believe, was a sensual change. They had been tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That this was with the forbidden fruit. They hadn’t felt these urges with their own bodies, though. Suddenly, they had sensations they’d never felt. They looked at each other, and they desired each other physically in a way they hadn’t before. They felt their own bodies in a new way. They felt pride in them, instead of siply glorifying God for making them Adam and Eve probably each felt they were something special. Adam, for instance, may have felt the need to show off his muscles, or Eve to demonstrate some other ability.
More importantly, there was a spiritual change. They suddenly felt vulnerable, partly because of the sensual change, but mostly because of something else. Their connection with God had been lost. They were alone, in a plce where they didn’t know what God would do or how He would react. They’d always known God personally. They’d felt His perfect love, perfect love which casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) That fear also made them feel very vulnerable.
They tried to fix this by sewing fig leaves together. They realized there was an outer part that needed fixed. For the moment, it worked, because it was only them. They weren’t worrying about God approaching. They didn’t hide immediately.
In the same way, when people sin, if they don’t have the knowledge that God will see them, they become bolder.
Sometimes, this is because they are saved, and have totally chosen to ignore that part of them that has communion with God. If that’s the case, God will try harder and harder to get their attention. A person who is fleeing from God, like Jonah, may need to suffer a catastrophe before they realize they need to listen.
More often, though, it is because the person has never been saved. They don’t realize that there will come a day when they must face the eternal consequences of their actions. They need to call on the Savior to rescue them, and take the punishment for their sins. However, they refuse to do so, until that time when they meet God face to face. Just as Adam and Eve would face in the next verse.
This is why it is vital that we receive Christ as Savior, and tell others about Him, quickly. We never know when we will breathe our last, and we must make the most of our chances. And, we never know when Christ will return.
The first man and woman had fallen from God’s grace. Now, instead of always being able to fellowship with God, they were totally cut off from Him. They had died spiritually. That part of them that could interact with God easily was gone.
What would they do? The two were alone, in a world that suddenly seemed so strange to them. Everything must have seemed different, because they noticed something that hadn’t been a problem before. It was something that couldn’t’ cross their minds, in their innocent state. As noted, they had no lustful thoughts, no reason to hide themselves. Suddenly, they felt the sensation they’d never felt. They knew they were naked. And, they needed to hide.
We don’t know exactly how they realized this. They had to have studied their physical appearances, though. At the very least, they had looked at each other – hence the reason I think they would have eaten the fruit together. So, what does this mean, that they knew they were naked? What changed about their image of themselves?
One, I believe, was a sensual change. They had been tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That this was with the forbidden fruit. They hadn’t felt these urges with their own bodies, though. Suddenly, they had sensations they’d never felt. They looked at each other, and they desired each other physically in a way they hadn’t before. They felt their own bodies in a new way. They felt pride in them, instead of siply glorifying God for making them Adam and Eve probably each felt they were something special. Adam, for instance, may have felt the need to show off his muscles, or Eve to demonstrate some other ability.
More importantly, there was a spiritual change. They suddenly felt vulnerable, partly because of the sensual change, but mostly because of something else. Their connection with God had been lost. They were alone, in a plce where they didn’t know what God would do or how He would react. They’d always known God personally. They’d felt His perfect love, perfect love which casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) That fear also made them feel very vulnerable.
They tried to fix this by sewing fig leaves together. They realized there was an outer part that needed fixed. For the moment, it worked, because it was only them. They weren’t worrying about God approaching. They didn’t hide immediately.
In the same way, when people sin, if they don’t have the knowledge that God will see them, they become bolder.
Sometimes, this is because they are saved, and have totally chosen to ignore that part of them that has communion with God. If that’s the case, God will try harder and harder to get their attention. A person who is fleeing from God, like Jonah, may need to suffer a catastrophe before they realize they need to listen.
More often, though, it is because the person has never been saved. They don’t realize that there will come a day when they must face the eternal consequences of their actions. They need to call on the Savior to rescue them, and take the punishment for their sins. However, they refuse to do so, until that time when they meet God face to face. Just as Adam and Eve would face in the next verse.
This is why it is vital that we receive Christ as Savior, and tell others about Him, quickly. We never know when we will breathe our last, and we must make the most of our chances. And, we never know when Christ will return.
Gen. 3:6
Many have considered the types of temptation in this verse. They are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as noted in 1 John 2:16. They are the same things Jesus was tempted with when He resisted. They are of the world, and not of God. They are tools the devil uses to try to get at people.
The sad thing is, all of these things were already present. So many things were good for food – in this Paradise, everything tasted so incredible. God had made it perfect. Fruit from any other tree would have been just as good.
All of these have bothered people since time began. This lust of the flesh is that fleshly nature that we keep, even after we’re saved. As long as we live, we must keep the flesh under control.
However, those who try to live ascetic lives totally miss the point. Life is supposed to be enjoyed. Most things are not evil in themselves; it is the way people use them. The wonderful, warm relationship that exists between a husband and wife, in the marital bedroom, is a thing of beauty that was created to be shared by that couple. This shared intimacy is something which is cheapened when spread around to others. God didn’t make it for that purpose.
Food is another one. Eating food is lots of fun. But, eating it till a normal sized person weighs 500 pounds is unhealthy. Some people need special diets, so only certain foods are right for them. God built all of us in a slightly different way. He wants us to have self control, but we can have lots of fun with in those rules.
The same applies to the sight. The sights were incredible. The landscapes, the setting, were beyond imagination. Adam and Eve had just been created, they had so much to explore. And yet, they chose to look at one fruit because it was pleasing to the eye.
The eye, of course, is the gateway to the heart. Jeremiah, for instance, wrote that his eye – what he’d seen in the destruction of Jerusalem – affected his heart. (Lam. 3:51). David learned with Bathsheba that when we don't' take our eyes off of something quickly, it can start a terrible, downward spiral. He should have turned away and thought of God’s love and grace. He should have done anything but use his power to pressure that lady into sleeping with him.
However, there are so many great things to see. The eye, when it looks on something good, is a wonderful thing to have. Even having limited vision, I still enjoy many things. A person can enjoy the body of their spouse – Urriah could have gazed at Bathsheba’s beauty perfectly well, just as she could gaze at his. It was when that visual image was put out in the open for all to see that problems began.
And, what of wisdom? This was certainly of the devil, because they had access to God through a personal relationship. Why take a fruit to make oneself wise, when God Himself was there to show His love, goodness, and wisdom?
This is just what people have always done, though. That pride of life has led many people to run roughshod over others. They speak, think, or act without regard for others, because they are so enamored with themselves, and their own way of thinking. This is how children are led astry by their parents – fathers are warned never to lead children to wrath, lest they be discouraged. (Eph. 6:4) It’s the way rulers attempt to conquer the world. And, everything in between.
But yet, life is vital. In addition, enjoyment of life is vital. Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) The ways one can experience the joy of living, in a way that is pleasing to God, are very numerous. We have great freedom within the rules. The only thing is, we must remember that God gave us all this ability. As Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) From the most incredible survival stories, to the person who just uses the senses God gave them, everything is by His grace. Even if another person taught someone something, God put them int hat place to teach it. It was just a matter of people listening.
Modern people, just like those all the way back to the beginning, use only those first five words. Whether they mean they to be that they are allowed to do all thing, or that all things are possible, they wish to emphasize the human.
Emphasis should instead be on the divine, just like Eve should have focused on what could be done. Yes, there are many, many other things which can be done, even if one can’t eat the forbidden fruit. Yes, we can overcome any obstacle, including that of extreme temptation, if we just trust in Christ to guide us. Just like she should have done.
This is why this is so sad. They had everything. And yet, Eve took the fruit and ate. Of her own free will, she chose to listen to her own desires, instead of the perfect love of God. But, she also chose not to listen to the perfect leadership of her husband, as to that point he and she had enjoyed a perfect relationship.
Of course, after she ate, so did Adam. But, where was he while all this happened?
We’ve already said that he was probably not present at first; the serpent only spoke to Eve then. A few different ideas have been proposed.
One is that Eve ate, and then went to Adam, and told him the same things the devil had told her. And, that he proceeded to eat. This is possible, but I doubt it. First, one would think that he would have noticed something different about Eve. Remember, they both hid, because they were naked. If Eve recognized that she had to hide from God, wouldn’t she also realize there was a difference between her and Adam? One counter to that, of course, is that we are not always told things in a clear timeline in Biblical narratives. But, it just seems awkward to place these things in a timeline.
Another, which I’ve heard a few times, is that Adam noticed after Eve disobeyed God. And, that he erred in putting her ahead of God, and ate of the fruit, also. In other words, rather than see her destroyed, he sinned by disobeying God. This would give our Lord great reason to warn that one shouldn’t love their spouse more than they love God. However, I don’t think this is possible. Adam blames God in verse 12, and blames the woman. He showed no signs of care or concern for her. In fact, he doesn’t even admit what he did was wrong. To use a modern expression, he “threw her under the bus.” That is not the tone of a person who has just acted so chivalrously.
I believe the answer which most fits with later Bible verses, as well as this timeline, is that Adam was either present for the last part of the dialogue, or arrived just after the devil snuck away. And, that Eve and Adam then ate at the same time.
Consider this, for instance, A person is in a minor car accident. They are telling you about it. They say, “I got in an accident, and broke my ankle; I was in a cast for weeks. And, on top of that, I had to be pay over $1000 in repairs!” Did they have to pay all that in repairs only after their cast came off? No, they are just finishing one part of the story, and then going back and telling something else that happened.
Now, as to why this seems to be most likely, consider the following:
1. The Bible says that the woman, not the man, was deceived. (1 Ti 2:14) Adam, if not for his wife, might or might not have eaten, too. But, she was the one who was tempted first. And, given the context – teaching men in church - it was likely her input that led Adam to eat.
2. Adam is still the one who sinned. It was by him that sin entered into the world, and death by sin. (Romans 5:12) It’s true that, as the leader of the home, Adam was ultimately responsible. However, it’s also true that we each must bear our own sin, unless we trust in the Redeemer to take that sin away.
3. As noted above, Adam was the spiritual head. He should have stopped Eve before she consumed the forbidden fruit.
To those who feel that Eve ate, and then went to Adam, it can be argued that Paul, in his letter to Timothy, is implying that the man knew just what he was doing. However, as noted, it seems that he would have noticed something was wrong. As with all speculation like this, it’s not vital to doctrine. Therefore, it’s important to let it teach, and that we simply do as Paul urged the ladies in the Philippian church, and “be of one mind in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:3)
The sad thing is, all of these things were already present. So many things were good for food – in this Paradise, everything tasted so incredible. God had made it perfect. Fruit from any other tree would have been just as good.
All of these have bothered people since time began. This lust of the flesh is that fleshly nature that we keep, even after we’re saved. As long as we live, we must keep the flesh under control.
However, those who try to live ascetic lives totally miss the point. Life is supposed to be enjoyed. Most things are not evil in themselves; it is the way people use them. The wonderful, warm relationship that exists between a husband and wife, in the marital bedroom, is a thing of beauty that was created to be shared by that couple. This shared intimacy is something which is cheapened when spread around to others. God didn’t make it for that purpose.
Food is another one. Eating food is lots of fun. But, eating it till a normal sized person weighs 500 pounds is unhealthy. Some people need special diets, so only certain foods are right for them. God built all of us in a slightly different way. He wants us to have self control, but we can have lots of fun with in those rules.
The same applies to the sight. The sights were incredible. The landscapes, the setting, were beyond imagination. Adam and Eve had just been created, they had so much to explore. And yet, they chose to look at one fruit because it was pleasing to the eye.
The eye, of course, is the gateway to the heart. Jeremiah, for instance, wrote that his eye – what he’d seen in the destruction of Jerusalem – affected his heart. (Lam. 3:51). David learned with Bathsheba that when we don't' take our eyes off of something quickly, it can start a terrible, downward spiral. He should have turned away and thought of God’s love and grace. He should have done anything but use his power to pressure that lady into sleeping with him.
However, there are so many great things to see. The eye, when it looks on something good, is a wonderful thing to have. Even having limited vision, I still enjoy many things. A person can enjoy the body of their spouse – Urriah could have gazed at Bathsheba’s beauty perfectly well, just as she could gaze at his. It was when that visual image was put out in the open for all to see that problems began.
And, what of wisdom? This was certainly of the devil, because they had access to God through a personal relationship. Why take a fruit to make oneself wise, when God Himself was there to show His love, goodness, and wisdom?
This is just what people have always done, though. That pride of life has led many people to run roughshod over others. They speak, think, or act without regard for others, because they are so enamored with themselves, and their own way of thinking. This is how children are led astry by their parents – fathers are warned never to lead children to wrath, lest they be discouraged. (Eph. 6:4) It’s the way rulers attempt to conquer the world. And, everything in between.
But yet, life is vital. In addition, enjoyment of life is vital. Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) The ways one can experience the joy of living, in a way that is pleasing to God, are very numerous. We have great freedom within the rules. The only thing is, we must remember that God gave us all this ability. As Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) From the most incredible survival stories, to the person who just uses the senses God gave them, everything is by His grace. Even if another person taught someone something, God put them int hat place to teach it. It was just a matter of people listening.
Modern people, just like those all the way back to the beginning, use only those first five words. Whether they mean they to be that they are allowed to do all thing, or that all things are possible, they wish to emphasize the human.
Emphasis should instead be on the divine, just like Eve should have focused on what could be done. Yes, there are many, many other things which can be done, even if one can’t eat the forbidden fruit. Yes, we can overcome any obstacle, including that of extreme temptation, if we just trust in Christ to guide us. Just like she should have done.
This is why this is so sad. They had everything. And yet, Eve took the fruit and ate. Of her own free will, she chose to listen to her own desires, instead of the perfect love of God. But, she also chose not to listen to the perfect leadership of her husband, as to that point he and she had enjoyed a perfect relationship.
Of course, after she ate, so did Adam. But, where was he while all this happened?
We’ve already said that he was probably not present at first; the serpent only spoke to Eve then. A few different ideas have been proposed.
One is that Eve ate, and then went to Adam, and told him the same things the devil had told her. And, that he proceeded to eat. This is possible, but I doubt it. First, one would think that he would have noticed something different about Eve. Remember, they both hid, because they were naked. If Eve recognized that she had to hide from God, wouldn’t she also realize there was a difference between her and Adam? One counter to that, of course, is that we are not always told things in a clear timeline in Biblical narratives. But, it just seems awkward to place these things in a timeline.
Another, which I’ve heard a few times, is that Adam noticed after Eve disobeyed God. And, that he erred in putting her ahead of God, and ate of the fruit, also. In other words, rather than see her destroyed, he sinned by disobeying God. This would give our Lord great reason to warn that one shouldn’t love their spouse more than they love God. However, I don’t think this is possible. Adam blames God in verse 12, and blames the woman. He showed no signs of care or concern for her. In fact, he doesn’t even admit what he did was wrong. To use a modern expression, he “threw her under the bus.” That is not the tone of a person who has just acted so chivalrously.
I believe the answer which most fits with later Bible verses, as well as this timeline, is that Adam was either present for the last part of the dialogue, or arrived just after the devil snuck away. And, that Eve and Adam then ate at the same time.
Consider this, for instance, A person is in a minor car accident. They are telling you about it. They say, “I got in an accident, and broke my ankle; I was in a cast for weeks. And, on top of that, I had to be pay over $1000 in repairs!” Did they have to pay all that in repairs only after their cast came off? No, they are just finishing one part of the story, and then going back and telling something else that happened.
Now, as to why this seems to be most likely, consider the following:
1. The Bible says that the woman, not the man, was deceived. (1 Ti 2:14) Adam, if not for his wife, might or might not have eaten, too. But, she was the one who was tempted first. And, given the context – teaching men in church - it was likely her input that led Adam to eat.
2. Adam is still the one who sinned. It was by him that sin entered into the world, and death by sin. (Romans 5:12) It’s true that, as the leader of the home, Adam was ultimately responsible. However, it’s also true that we each must bear our own sin, unless we trust in the Redeemer to take that sin away.
3. As noted above, Adam was the spiritual head. He should have stopped Eve before she consumed the forbidden fruit.
To those who feel that Eve ate, and then went to Adam, it can be argued that Paul, in his letter to Timothy, is implying that the man knew just what he was doing. However, as noted, it seems that he would have noticed something was wrong. As with all speculation like this, it’s not vital to doctrine. Therefore, it’s important to let it teach, and that we simply do as Paul urged the ladies in the Philippian church, and “be of one mind in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:3)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Gen. 3:5
Pride is Original Sin. The devil’s attempt to play on Eve’s pride is very strong here. He wanted to lift himself up to be as God, and failed. (Is. 14:14). Now, he gets Eve to consider the same possibility. But, that is an incredible error.
There is only one God, and He was never formed. He has always been. He exists in that dimension beyond our physical dimensions, just as time is beyond our physical sight; though we are in it, we can’t actually ‘see” time. There will never be another God. (Is. 43:10) The devil sought to be as God because of his incredible pride and arrogance.
So, why did people consider sex to be Original Sin years ago? In their false human pride, they tried to make their own rules. Some of them meant well, and just didn’t read their Bible well. However, many of them only sought to suppress. They may have driven people away from God as a result, because they showed an unloving nature. God is just, but we can’t forget that He is also merciful. He wants a person’s heart to be humble, and willing to learn from His Word. And, His Word clearly states that the original sin was to puff oneself up and attempt to be as God.
People have done this since the dawn of time, as we see here. The devil wanted to destroy God’s plan, and be their master. He knew Adam and Eve were untested creatures. They couldn’t be told, straight out, to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They had to be persuaded. Those reasons were lies. The devil told them that once they ate, their eyes would be open, and they would be gods. But, there is only one God> He simply manifests – shows - Himself in three persons; the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Of course, the fact their eyes would be open implies something else, too. It implies that God was hiding something good from them. But, He wasn’t. Knowing good and evil is an awful thing – but they didn’t know that.
Just think, if we didn’t know what evil was, it would mean there was no crime. We’d never have to suffer. There would be no mean people, no hurtful words, and no people taking advantage of others. The introduction of sin into the world was an awful thing. God had told them flat out, too, that this was the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God doesn’t mince words. He didn’t just say, “Don’t eat of that tree.” Now, just as then, His Word says exactly what will happen, with a name here that drove home the message. If they ate of it, they would die – they would lose that relationship with God.
The devil usually doesn’t start by telling someone, flat out, to sin. He may be able to once we have a sinful habit. But, at first, the devil tricks us, as he does here. He takes one thing that is true – that they would know good and evil – and twists it. Sin can feel good for a time, unless we keep ourselves under control. We lose that control when we choose to follow our own lusts, instead of trust in God. That is true whether we are talking about Eve – and, later, Adam – in this chapter, or whether we are talking about making rules that are way too strict, and twisting God’s Word to make something else out to be Original Sin, instead of the selfish kind of pride that is. It’s no wonder that Paul says, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gal. 6:14)
There is only one God, and He was never formed. He has always been. He exists in that dimension beyond our physical dimensions, just as time is beyond our physical sight; though we are in it, we can’t actually ‘see” time. There will never be another God. (Is. 43:10) The devil sought to be as God because of his incredible pride and arrogance.
So, why did people consider sex to be Original Sin years ago? In their false human pride, they tried to make their own rules. Some of them meant well, and just didn’t read their Bible well. However, many of them only sought to suppress. They may have driven people away from God as a result, because they showed an unloving nature. God is just, but we can’t forget that He is also merciful. He wants a person’s heart to be humble, and willing to learn from His Word. And, His Word clearly states that the original sin was to puff oneself up and attempt to be as God.
People have done this since the dawn of time, as we see here. The devil wanted to destroy God’s plan, and be their master. He knew Adam and Eve were untested creatures. They couldn’t be told, straight out, to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They had to be persuaded. Those reasons were lies. The devil told them that once they ate, their eyes would be open, and they would be gods. But, there is only one God> He simply manifests – shows - Himself in three persons; the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Of course, the fact their eyes would be open implies something else, too. It implies that God was hiding something good from them. But, He wasn’t. Knowing good and evil is an awful thing – but they didn’t know that.
Just think, if we didn’t know what evil was, it would mean there was no crime. We’d never have to suffer. There would be no mean people, no hurtful words, and no people taking advantage of others. The introduction of sin into the world was an awful thing. God had told them flat out, too, that this was the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God doesn’t mince words. He didn’t just say, “Don’t eat of that tree.” Now, just as then, His Word says exactly what will happen, with a name here that drove home the message. If they ate of it, they would die – they would lose that relationship with God.
The devil usually doesn’t start by telling someone, flat out, to sin. He may be able to once we have a sinful habit. But, at first, the devil tricks us, as he does here. He takes one thing that is true – that they would know good and evil – and twists it. Sin can feel good for a time, unless we keep ourselves under control. We lose that control when we choose to follow our own lusts, instead of trust in God. That is true whether we are talking about Eve – and, later, Adam – in this chapter, or whether we are talking about making rules that are way too strict, and twisting God’s Word to make something else out to be Original Sin, instead of the selfish kind of pride that is. It’s no wonder that Paul says, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gal. 6:14)
Gen. 3:4
Whether it was Eve relying on her own strength, or Adam’s suggestion that a boundary be put up that was stricter than God’s Word, what mattered is this. A seed of doubt was planted. The devil took advantage of that, by denying outright what God had said.
The devil has always tried to be like God. When he couldn’t be, he chose to wreck God’s plan. He was successful here. His hatred for God’s perfect love, goodness, and so on knows no bounds. The verses mentioned in Isaiah and Ezekiel show a fallen angel who is very puffed up with pride. Because he was so puffed up, he felt he would try to play on Eve’s pride. It’s just like when he challenged Jesus, in the wilderness, to worship him. Jesus could never fall, because He was God in the flesh as man. The fact the devil even tried that shows how arrogant he is, to think God would worship him.
The devil has always tried to be like God. When he couldn’t be, he chose to wreck God’s plan. He was successful here. His hatred for God’s perfect love, goodness, and so on knows no bounds. The verses mentioned in Isaiah and Ezekiel show a fallen angel who is very puffed up with pride. Because he was so puffed up, he felt he would try to play on Eve’s pride. It’s just like when he challenged Jesus, in the wilderness, to worship him. Jesus could never fall, because He was God in the flesh as man. The fact the devil even tried that shows how arrogant he is, to think God would worship him.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Gen. 3:3
“Neither shall ye touch it” were the words Eve added. As noted, we don’t see adverbs like “she spoke defensively” in the Bible. However, her defenses were clearly up. She didn’t doubt God’s goodness yet. She may have even known something was wrong with what the devil had said. But, she didn’t go to someone to get a clarification. Instead, she relied on her own strength, though the devil’s misquote had caused her to stumble.
Several things need to be considered first to explain this point.
First, was it sin to add to God’s Word? The answer is no, it couldn’t have been. There were no false prophets, because there was no need for prophets. True prophets told people God’s Word, and warned of God’s judgment, because people didn’t have direct access to God. Eve did, however. She hadn’t yet been separated from God by sin.
Others have said this was Adam’s doing. They say he either told her more than was needed out of protectiveness, or he explained it wrong. Both seem dubious at best.
One possibility is that Adam told Eve the rule, but also said that, for her own protection, she should think of it as not being able to touch the fruit of that tree. I don’t think this can be true, though it has the greatest chance of anything if it was Adam’s doing. For one thing, Eve quotes God; not Adam. Second, Eve was bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. There was perfect trust between Adam and Eve. Since Adam trusted her so much, why would he feel the need to tell her something different? He may have had the same boundary in his own mind. And, boundaries are important in any relationship. So, I don’t totally discount it. The error of relying on one’s own strength could have been Adam’s to begin with. But, it was more likely Eve’s.
Some say there could have been miscommunication. Adam may have confused the rule when he repeated it to Eve. But, this doesn’t seem possible. Communication problems began when sin entered into the world. They don’t exist in a perfect world. Adam had perfect recall of what God had said.
It wasn’t possible for Adam to lie, either. Lying is the worst form of miscommunication; it is deliberately misleading someone. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship, though, before sin entered into the world. It’s one thing if he told Eve, “We’re not allowed to eat of it, so for our own sake, let’s both vow not to touch it.” It’s a totally different thing if he told Eve the wrong rule on purpose. Lying is a sin. Since lying is a sin, it was something that came into the world by Adam’s act. But, if he had committed that sin and lied, he would have already fallen, and the devil would have had no need to tempt Eve.
You may wonder, then, why Eve’s misquote was not lying? A paraphrase is different from a total lie, for one thing. She likely added the “Neither shall ye touch it” herself. Consider this: Your friend tells you that he bought a new car. You learn from a mutual friend that he has since begun to build a house. Now, a different mutual friend asks you how this person is doing. It would be very proper, grammatically, to say, “Our friend told me he bought a new car. He is also building a new house.”
It’s still the error of legalism, though, because legalism isn’t necessarily adding to God’s Word, although it can be, and cults often do this. Legalism is often adding mankind’s rules to God’s rules, and making them as if they are God’s rules.
Only God’s rules are perfect. Because Eve trusted in her own strength, a seed of doubt was placed, wondering if God’s Word was enough. If we wonder if God’s Word is enough, we wonder if it is right. And, if we wonder if God’s Word is right, we began to wonder if it is even true. God’s Word must not be added to or taken from; that is why our Lord says that "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matt. 5:18)
Several things need to be considered first to explain this point.
First, was it sin to add to God’s Word? The answer is no, it couldn’t have been. There were no false prophets, because there was no need for prophets. True prophets told people God’s Word, and warned of God’s judgment, because people didn’t have direct access to God. Eve did, however. She hadn’t yet been separated from God by sin.
Others have said this was Adam’s doing. They say he either told her more than was needed out of protectiveness, or he explained it wrong. Both seem dubious at best.
One possibility is that Adam told Eve the rule, but also said that, for her own protection, she should think of it as not being able to touch the fruit of that tree. I don’t think this can be true, though it has the greatest chance of anything if it was Adam’s doing. For one thing, Eve quotes God; not Adam. Second, Eve was bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. There was perfect trust between Adam and Eve. Since Adam trusted her so much, why would he feel the need to tell her something different? He may have had the same boundary in his own mind. And, boundaries are important in any relationship. So, I don’t totally discount it. The error of relying on one’s own strength could have been Adam’s to begin with. But, it was more likely Eve’s.
Some say there could have been miscommunication. Adam may have confused the rule when he repeated it to Eve. But, this doesn’t seem possible. Communication problems began when sin entered into the world. They don’t exist in a perfect world. Adam had perfect recall of what God had said.
It wasn’t possible for Adam to lie, either. Lying is the worst form of miscommunication; it is deliberately misleading someone. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship, though, before sin entered into the world. It’s one thing if he told Eve, “We’re not allowed to eat of it, so for our own sake, let’s both vow not to touch it.” It’s a totally different thing if he told Eve the wrong rule on purpose. Lying is a sin. Since lying is a sin, it was something that came into the world by Adam’s act. But, if he had committed that sin and lied, he would have already fallen, and the devil would have had no need to tempt Eve.
You may wonder, then, why Eve’s misquote was not lying? A paraphrase is different from a total lie, for one thing. She likely added the “Neither shall ye touch it” herself. Consider this: Your friend tells you that he bought a new car. You learn from a mutual friend that he has since begun to build a house. Now, a different mutual friend asks you how this person is doing. It would be very proper, grammatically, to say, “Our friend told me he bought a new car. He is also building a new house.”
It’s still the error of legalism, though, because legalism isn’t necessarily adding to God’s Word, although it can be, and cults often do this. Legalism is often adding mankind’s rules to God’s rules, and making them as if they are God’s rules.
Only God’s rules are perfect. Because Eve trusted in her own strength, a seed of doubt was placed, wondering if God’s Word was enough. If we wonder if God’s Word is enough, we wonder if it is right. And, if we wonder if God’s Word is right, we began to wonder if it is even true. God’s Word must not be added to or taken from; that is why our Lord says that "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matt. 5:18)
Ge. 3:2
Eve started to give a good defense of the rule. She countered the devil by saying that they could eat of the trees in the garden. This was true. God had not denied them the right to eat of these trees. There was only one rule. They could not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, as we’ll see, she likely committed the error of legalism, which shall be discussed more as we look at the next verse. Although, even if she only did it for her own protection, it eventually came back to haunt her. Because, in times of trouble, we must rely on God’s Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 have been true from the dawn of time. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
Gen. 3:1
Gen. 3:1
Chapter three has the sad story of the introduction of sin into the world, and death by sin, which would see death pass onto everyone. (Rom. 5:12) There had been no death, no suffering, and no pain before this. God never intended for sin to enter the world, but as noted, He had a plan. Because, He knew what choices would be made, yet He loved people enough to give them freedom.
The Serpent…said: This creature has caused some confusion among scholars. While I don’t claim to know everything, I’ll try clear a few things up.
First, despite what some say, it is very unlikely that animals could talk before the Fall. Remember that mankind was created differently. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over creatures. People were given something more than instinct – they were made living souls. While some animals communicate more information than others through their sounds, only people can do such things as engage in small talk, use language to influence, and so on. That’s because our brains are so complex.
Most likely, the devil dwelt in the serpent. I believe three things point to the devil as being the one who truly controlled and spoke. 1. The devil is referred to, in Rev. 12:9 and Rev. 20:2, as “that old serpent”; 2. The devil is consistently called the “father of lies,” not the serpent; and, 3. The pronoun “he.”
This last is especially noteworthy because of the article – “The.” “The serpent” can refer to a particular one, as well as the creature in general. It may be that this particular one, inhabited by the devil, was using the subtlety of the devil.
The animal, then, didn’t originate the temptation. Nor would the devil have just taken the form of a serpent, because God does render punishment against the serpent, and God’s Word says that the serpent was very cunning. Also, note that demons can inhabit animals, as with the ones cast out of the man and put into the swine in the Gospels. (Matt. 8:32, etc.) Plus, God can speak through animals, too, at His will, as in Numbers 20:32.
So, why didn’t Moses say it was the devil? Remember that we see through a glass darkly. God only revealed through Moses what was necessary. In Isaiah 14, and probably Ezekiel 28, there are clear indicators of how the devil fell from grace.
The purpose of Genesis, on the other hand, is mainly: 1. To tell of the world’s beginning and the Fall from Grace, including what led up to the Flood and world’s rebirth through Noah and his family; 2. To promise a Redeemer; 3. To show how Abraham was called out to found the nation from which that Redeemer would come; and, 4. To tell the stories of the Patriarchs until Jacob and his family entered Egypt. Isaiah and Ezekiel were led by the Spirit to write what they did because God felt it was the right time to reveal it, for reasons only He completely understands. It’s just like John, in the last book of the Bible, reveals the devil’s end, and makes allusion back to the serpent in this narrative.
Was more subtle: This, of course, makes some think it was the serpent which spoke. However, remember that while the devil’s power is limited, he can use the things of God and twist them to his advantage. The devil can even quote Scripture, as he did to Jesus when Christ was tempted in the wilderness.
But wait, you say; aren’t there other animals more clever? We say sly as a fox, not sly as a serpent, for instance. That’s true, but we don’t know exactly what measure is used. One could make an argument that serpents are more subtle; or, at least a certain kind. Hiding in the bushes, able to attack their prey, bite, and retreat in almost the blink of an eye. Possessing the skill to swallow a mouse, let us say, that is much wider than its whole body. Serpents are incredibly crafty, so this need not be a different type. Also, this was before the Fall. The creature could have had some of its subtlety reduced.
More on the talking animal: If animals were not talking before the Fall – as shown above and as noted in biology – then why isn’t Eve said to be surprised? Many have tried to argue that Moses would have recorded it – but, I see no reason to include it. It’s not an important part of the narrative. Jewish writers didn’t write like we do today, detailing posture, facial expressions, and every other part of a scene. God only moved them to record what was important to His purposes. Not only that, but Eve may have been spoken to before this. If so, perhaps she got used to it.
More likely, though, is that – in the wonder of innocence – why wouldn’t she expect animals to talk? A baby, experiencing a jack in the box for the first time, might express a little shock or excitement at the creature popping out of the box. But, that baby has no concept that there can be something in the box; that part of them has not yet formed. Eve, however, possessed all her senses. Adam and Even no doubt viewed the world as a baby does his or her hands, with awe and wonder, but with no sense of alarm at something “not being right.” They had no need to fear. The entire world was so new, with no sense of any danger. God had not warned them, “Animals can’t talk.” God had only warned them of the one tree, and the consequences of eating it. For all they knew, animals could and would talk, if only they could learn how. God gave them freedom to explore this and every other facet of that new world, except the one.
Hath God said?: The devil attacked that one thing God did say, though. He spoke as if to say, “Did God really say that?” He wanted to cause Adam and Eve to question whether God had really said what He did. And, He did it by dividing them. Two against one will win a lot more easily than one on one, and ‘a threefold chord” is not easily broken. (Ecc. 4:12) He could have tried ti with both of them, but he chose to go after just one, knowing he had a much great chance of success.
He also went after the one who was weaker. Eve hadn’t been formed for as long as Adam. She didn’t have as close a relationship with god because she hadn’t been around for as long. True, it was a very short time, but the devil will pounce on any weakness. This is why it’s vital to not only teach youngsters God’s Word, but live it. If adults around them don’t live God’s Word through their actions, there is a big, fat, gaping hole that the devil can fly right through. A child can only do what he or she sees. They have no other way of knowing how to act. If a child has never experienced unconditional love, they won’t know it’s possible. Even worse, if that child sees someone doing the opposite of what they say to do, then the gaping hole is even wider.
Even in the best situations, though, there is a hole caused by sin in everyone’s heart, that only Jesus Christ can fill.
That hole exists because of the Fall. At this point, the devil has Eve apart from Adam. Some say they were together, and Adam was silent, but this is doubtful. The devil is said to only be speaking to Eve, not to both. Adam’s silence would be very strange if he were to have been silent. It is possible that Adam joined her before she ate, but what is important is, the devil spotted a potential weakness. He questioned God’s perfect love, and even the very Word of God.
He began by twisting God’s Word around. We must have God’s Word ready to be called up from our heart right away. We must know exactly what it says, so we can know exactly what the boundaries are. The devil asked if God had said, “Ye shall not eat of every tree.” He resorted to liberalism. Liberalism means throwing God’s specific rules out, and stating that anything goes.
But, the devil would not have been as likely to get anywhere if he had come right out and suggested that Eve ignore God’s Word. Instead, he attacked it subtly. He asked, “Did God really say that?” while misquoting the Lord. This misquote was his way to begin to question God’s goodness, as if to ask why God would not allow them to eat of every tree.
Chapter three has the sad story of the introduction of sin into the world, and death by sin, which would see death pass onto everyone. (Rom. 5:12) There had been no death, no suffering, and no pain before this. God never intended for sin to enter the world, but as noted, He had a plan. Because, He knew what choices would be made, yet He loved people enough to give them freedom.
The Serpent…said: This creature has caused some confusion among scholars. While I don’t claim to know everything, I’ll try clear a few things up.
First, despite what some say, it is very unlikely that animals could talk before the Fall. Remember that mankind was created differently. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over creatures. People were given something more than instinct – they were made living souls. While some animals communicate more information than others through their sounds, only people can do such things as engage in small talk, use language to influence, and so on. That’s because our brains are so complex.
Most likely, the devil dwelt in the serpent. I believe three things point to the devil as being the one who truly controlled and spoke. 1. The devil is referred to, in Rev. 12:9 and Rev. 20:2, as “that old serpent”; 2. The devil is consistently called the “father of lies,” not the serpent; and, 3. The pronoun “he.”
This last is especially noteworthy because of the article – “The.” “The serpent” can refer to a particular one, as well as the creature in general. It may be that this particular one, inhabited by the devil, was using the subtlety of the devil.
The animal, then, didn’t originate the temptation. Nor would the devil have just taken the form of a serpent, because God does render punishment against the serpent, and God’s Word says that the serpent was very cunning. Also, note that demons can inhabit animals, as with the ones cast out of the man and put into the swine in the Gospels. (Matt. 8:32, etc.) Plus, God can speak through animals, too, at His will, as in Numbers 20:32.
So, why didn’t Moses say it was the devil? Remember that we see through a glass darkly. God only revealed through Moses what was necessary. In Isaiah 14, and probably Ezekiel 28, there are clear indicators of how the devil fell from grace.
The purpose of Genesis, on the other hand, is mainly: 1. To tell of the world’s beginning and the Fall from Grace, including what led up to the Flood and world’s rebirth through Noah and his family; 2. To promise a Redeemer; 3. To show how Abraham was called out to found the nation from which that Redeemer would come; and, 4. To tell the stories of the Patriarchs until Jacob and his family entered Egypt. Isaiah and Ezekiel were led by the Spirit to write what they did because God felt it was the right time to reveal it, for reasons only He completely understands. It’s just like John, in the last book of the Bible, reveals the devil’s end, and makes allusion back to the serpent in this narrative.
Was more subtle: This, of course, makes some think it was the serpent which spoke. However, remember that while the devil’s power is limited, he can use the things of God and twist them to his advantage. The devil can even quote Scripture, as he did to Jesus when Christ was tempted in the wilderness.
But wait, you say; aren’t there other animals more clever? We say sly as a fox, not sly as a serpent, for instance. That’s true, but we don’t know exactly what measure is used. One could make an argument that serpents are more subtle; or, at least a certain kind. Hiding in the bushes, able to attack their prey, bite, and retreat in almost the blink of an eye. Possessing the skill to swallow a mouse, let us say, that is much wider than its whole body. Serpents are incredibly crafty, so this need not be a different type. Also, this was before the Fall. The creature could have had some of its subtlety reduced.
More on the talking animal: If animals were not talking before the Fall – as shown above and as noted in biology – then why isn’t Eve said to be surprised? Many have tried to argue that Moses would have recorded it – but, I see no reason to include it. It’s not an important part of the narrative. Jewish writers didn’t write like we do today, detailing posture, facial expressions, and every other part of a scene. God only moved them to record what was important to His purposes. Not only that, but Eve may have been spoken to before this. If so, perhaps she got used to it.
More likely, though, is that – in the wonder of innocence – why wouldn’t she expect animals to talk? A baby, experiencing a jack in the box for the first time, might express a little shock or excitement at the creature popping out of the box. But, that baby has no concept that there can be something in the box; that part of them has not yet formed. Eve, however, possessed all her senses. Adam and Even no doubt viewed the world as a baby does his or her hands, with awe and wonder, but with no sense of alarm at something “not being right.” They had no need to fear. The entire world was so new, with no sense of any danger. God had not warned them, “Animals can’t talk.” God had only warned them of the one tree, and the consequences of eating it. For all they knew, animals could and would talk, if only they could learn how. God gave them freedom to explore this and every other facet of that new world, except the one.
Hath God said?: The devil attacked that one thing God did say, though. He spoke as if to say, “Did God really say that?” He wanted to cause Adam and Eve to question whether God had really said what He did. And, He did it by dividing them. Two against one will win a lot more easily than one on one, and ‘a threefold chord” is not easily broken. (Ecc. 4:12) He could have tried ti with both of them, but he chose to go after just one, knowing he had a much great chance of success.
He also went after the one who was weaker. Eve hadn’t been formed for as long as Adam. She didn’t have as close a relationship with god because she hadn’t been around for as long. True, it was a very short time, but the devil will pounce on any weakness. This is why it’s vital to not only teach youngsters God’s Word, but live it. If adults around them don’t live God’s Word through their actions, there is a big, fat, gaping hole that the devil can fly right through. A child can only do what he or she sees. They have no other way of knowing how to act. If a child has never experienced unconditional love, they won’t know it’s possible. Even worse, if that child sees someone doing the opposite of what they say to do, then the gaping hole is even wider.
Even in the best situations, though, there is a hole caused by sin in everyone’s heart, that only Jesus Christ can fill.
That hole exists because of the Fall. At this point, the devil has Eve apart from Adam. Some say they were together, and Adam was silent, but this is doubtful. The devil is said to only be speaking to Eve, not to both. Adam’s silence would be very strange if he were to have been silent. It is possible that Adam joined her before she ate, but what is important is, the devil spotted a potential weakness. He questioned God’s perfect love, and even the very Word of God.
He began by twisting God’s Word around. We must have God’s Word ready to be called up from our heart right away. We must know exactly what it says, so we can know exactly what the boundaries are. The devil asked if God had said, “Ye shall not eat of every tree.” He resorted to liberalism. Liberalism means throwing God’s specific rules out, and stating that anything goes.
But, the devil would not have been as likely to get anywhere if he had come right out and suggested that Eve ignore God’s Word. Instead, he attacked it subtly. He asked, “Did God really say that?” while misquoting the Lord. This misquote was his way to begin to question God’s goodness, as if to ask why God would not allow them to eat of every tree.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Gen. 2:25
Adam and Eve not only had the perfect marriage, they had perfect innocence. They were naked, and were not ashamed.
This bring to mind how some people groups have been discovred, in very temperate climates, to be without clothing. What is the difference? Matthew 5:28 is a good place to start � because there, the Lord tells us that if a person looks on another in lust, that person commits adultery in their heart.
It is not just the state of nakedness that made Adam and Even unashamed. It was the state of nakedness, and the fact that there were no lustful thoughts, no selfish desires. If they had conceived in this state, and bore children, and a society grew, the people would not have lusted after one another. Instead, as the first chapter of Romans warns us, if people continue in their lusts, eventually they will totally become reprobate. That means they will follow only their lusts, and nothing else. Clothing allows a civilized society to prevent that. This is why it�s so important now for people to wear clothing.
It is, of course, possible to go overboard � modern day Pharisees disallowing even the showing of a married couple sharing a bed went too far, because for a married couple to have twin beds was unnatural itself. It divided the couple. A married couple together in a bedroom with one bed, clothed decently, would not create lustful thoughts. Such sights would draw one to wholesome thoughts. A viewer would think, �This is the way it is meant to be, a warm, affectionate married couple, but one that keeps their nighttime activities behind closed doors, because it is for them alone.�
We will discuss the errors of legalism and liberalism more when we consider the next chapter. However, the point is this. Even as Adam and Eve were naked, there was no danger of that nakedness inviting lustful thoughts until the Fall. Hence, they were not ashamed, because they knew no lustful thoughts would come from either of them.
Not only were there no lustful thoughts, there were no sinful thoughts, period. Remember, Jesus often made it a point that sin comes from the heart. Sin always begins with the heart. The heart can bring lovely thoughts, too, of course. This is why Philippians 4:8 is so important, a verse that should be hidden in everyone�s heart, that they might not sin against God. (Psalm 119:11)
Adam and Eve had no problems with sin in this verse, however. This state of innocence was one that allowed them to develop freely. If they chose, they could have composed incredible psalms of praise to God, painted rich, beautiful landscapes, allowed their imaginations to soar to incredible heights. They were unburdened by sin. They didn�t have to worry about the depths of evil to which man would later sink. The shckles of sin always stifle creativity to some extent, whether it is because the person gets preoccupied with something more worldly, because they are burdened by sin and must deal with the guilt, and for many other reasons.
Sin has robbed us of so many great minds. Think of any performer who died young. Think of any athlete overcome by substance problems or injury. Indeed, think of the greatest performer or athlete who has managed to live their lives for the Lord. Any one of these people could have accomplished so much more. Indeed, our first parents, Adam and Eve, could have done so much more. The world was perfect! It was theirs to do with what they wanted, as long as they obeyed that one command. They had a perfect relationship with God. They would keep the garden, and do things in a way that would honor and glorify God, because they still had that relationship with Him. It was a perfect world.
However, they chose to go their own way. The first two chapters of the Bible, filled with awe and wonder at a perfect world, now descend into a world of sin, untilt he last two chapters. It is a story riddled with sorrow.
And yet, one great thing shines above all that evil. That is this. That God, in His grace and mercy, knew they would make the choice. Yet, instead of making His creation mindless robots that had to listen, He gave them the choice. He lovingly coaxed them to listen. And, when they didn�t in His grace and mercy, He loved them anyway, and calls back to Him any who will come and receive his free gift of eternal life, through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for each of our sins. All we must do is repent � turn from our sins � and receive Him as Savior.
This bring to mind how some people groups have been discovred, in very temperate climates, to be without clothing. What is the difference? Matthew 5:28 is a good place to start � because there, the Lord tells us that if a person looks on another in lust, that person commits adultery in their heart.
It is not just the state of nakedness that made Adam and Even unashamed. It was the state of nakedness, and the fact that there were no lustful thoughts, no selfish desires. If they had conceived in this state, and bore children, and a society grew, the people would not have lusted after one another. Instead, as the first chapter of Romans warns us, if people continue in their lusts, eventually they will totally become reprobate. That means they will follow only their lusts, and nothing else. Clothing allows a civilized society to prevent that. This is why it�s so important now for people to wear clothing.
It is, of course, possible to go overboard � modern day Pharisees disallowing even the showing of a married couple sharing a bed went too far, because for a married couple to have twin beds was unnatural itself. It divided the couple. A married couple together in a bedroom with one bed, clothed decently, would not create lustful thoughts. Such sights would draw one to wholesome thoughts. A viewer would think, �This is the way it is meant to be, a warm, affectionate married couple, but one that keeps their nighttime activities behind closed doors, because it is for them alone.�
We will discuss the errors of legalism and liberalism more when we consider the next chapter. However, the point is this. Even as Adam and Eve were naked, there was no danger of that nakedness inviting lustful thoughts until the Fall. Hence, they were not ashamed, because they knew no lustful thoughts would come from either of them.
Not only were there no lustful thoughts, there were no sinful thoughts, period. Remember, Jesus often made it a point that sin comes from the heart. Sin always begins with the heart. The heart can bring lovely thoughts, too, of course. This is why Philippians 4:8 is so important, a verse that should be hidden in everyone�s heart, that they might not sin against God. (Psalm 119:11)
Adam and Eve had no problems with sin in this verse, however. This state of innocence was one that allowed them to develop freely. If they chose, they could have composed incredible psalms of praise to God, painted rich, beautiful landscapes, allowed their imaginations to soar to incredible heights. They were unburdened by sin. They didn�t have to worry about the depths of evil to which man would later sink. The shckles of sin always stifle creativity to some extent, whether it is because the person gets preoccupied with something more worldly, because they are burdened by sin and must deal with the guilt, and for many other reasons.
Sin has robbed us of so many great minds. Think of any performer who died young. Think of any athlete overcome by substance problems or injury. Indeed, think of the greatest performer or athlete who has managed to live their lives for the Lord. Any one of these people could have accomplished so much more. Indeed, our first parents, Adam and Eve, could have done so much more. The world was perfect! It was theirs to do with what they wanted, as long as they obeyed that one command. They had a perfect relationship with God. They would keep the garden, and do things in a way that would honor and glorify God, because they still had that relationship with Him. It was a perfect world.
However, they chose to go their own way. The first two chapters of the Bible, filled with awe and wonder at a perfect world, now descend into a world of sin, untilt he last two chapters. It is a story riddled with sorrow.
And yet, one great thing shines above all that evil. That is this. That God, in His grace and mercy, knew they would make the choice. Yet, instead of making His creation mindless robots that had to listen, He gave them the choice. He lovingly coaxed them to listen. And, when they didn�t in His grace and mercy, He loved them anyway, and calls back to Him any who will come and receive his free gift of eternal life, through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for each of our sins. All we must do is repent � turn from our sins � and receive Him as Savior.
Gen. 2:24
This verse, so beloved at weddings, describes the first marriage. It was between two people united in perfect bliss. They were so totally in love with each other, just as man was meant to be with woman. However, at this moment, before the Fall, they could also communicate and understand each other perfectly. There was no sin in the world as of this time, nothing that would cause a breakdown in things.
A majority of commentators favor Moses, under Divinde inspiration, as having penned these words, as the Hebrews’ teacher in the Wilderness. Still others believe this was a continuation of Adam’s thoughts in Verse 23. This is what I, personally, have often felt. It makes sense that God talked with our first ancestor about this helpmate. He would therefore be able to speak prophetically about the institution of marriage. A third possibility is that God Himself spoke these words prophetically, establishing marriage as a sacred institution. God was, in a sense, giving his daughter away to Adam, and this could be a pronouncement by God He had joined the two as one flesh, and that it would be like this in every marriage after that. And, therefore, what God has joined, man should not tear asunder. (Mark 10:9)
Of course, that image – God, as Eve’s Father, giving her away in marriage – is a beautiful image that holds true no matter who the speaker is in this verse. Because, it shows tat the institution of marriage is a holy one. It is one where the parties should act with utmost love and devotion toward each other.
It’s worth noting that the Bible doesn’t mention a man taking a wife. Instead, it mentions him leaving his parents and cleaving to her. This, like the fact that Eve came from Ada’s side, shows a truth about marriage. The man should still love his parents, of course. However, his devotion to his wife should be beyond that. His love for her should be very deep. It should never be just about the physical. Thinking about only the physical robs marriage of its beauty.
See, the two shall be one flesh. Sure, they can have different interests, but they should be willing to give for each other. They must be willing to work together, and agree to work together to build a great life together. This is especially important since the Fall.
Before the Fall, however, it was perfect. The two could much more easily become one flesh. A married couple should grow closer as the years go on. If they aren’t, something is very wrong, and they need help to start getting closer again, because they have chosen to spend a lifetime together. That is what marriage is, a lifetime of loving each other. However, Adam and Eve didn't' have to grow closer.
Picture a married couple who have been together 75 years, complete each other’s sentences, and always know what the other is thinking. They delight in each other all the time. That couple has worked to get to that level. But, without the breakdown in mankind, Adam and Eve were already there.
It’s a great shame that mankind has regressed, since the Fall, to the point it has. As we’ll see, a man named Lamech, in Cain’s line, not only violated the notion that the two would be as one by having a second wife, he totally refused to cleave to his wives. His loud boastings are those of an emotional abuser, one who would take whatever he wants, instead of giving out of love and a lack of selfishness.
For now, however, Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship. There was no problem with communication, no drifting apart, just a couple that truly understood the notion of unconditional love, because they hadn’t yet experienced that sin nature that they would soon bring into the world.
A majority of commentators favor Moses, under Divinde inspiration, as having penned these words, as the Hebrews’ teacher in the Wilderness. Still others believe this was a continuation of Adam’s thoughts in Verse 23. This is what I, personally, have often felt. It makes sense that God talked with our first ancestor about this helpmate. He would therefore be able to speak prophetically about the institution of marriage. A third possibility is that God Himself spoke these words prophetically, establishing marriage as a sacred institution. God was, in a sense, giving his daughter away to Adam, and this could be a pronouncement by God He had joined the two as one flesh, and that it would be like this in every marriage after that. And, therefore, what God has joined, man should not tear asunder. (Mark 10:9)
Of course, that image – God, as Eve’s Father, giving her away in marriage – is a beautiful image that holds true no matter who the speaker is in this verse. Because, it shows tat the institution of marriage is a holy one. It is one where the parties should act with utmost love and devotion toward each other.
It’s worth noting that the Bible doesn’t mention a man taking a wife. Instead, it mentions him leaving his parents and cleaving to her. This, like the fact that Eve came from Ada’s side, shows a truth about marriage. The man should still love his parents, of course. However, his devotion to his wife should be beyond that. His love for her should be very deep. It should never be just about the physical. Thinking about only the physical robs marriage of its beauty.
See, the two shall be one flesh. Sure, they can have different interests, but they should be willing to give for each other. They must be willing to work together, and agree to work together to build a great life together. This is especially important since the Fall.
Before the Fall, however, it was perfect. The two could much more easily become one flesh. A married couple should grow closer as the years go on. If they aren’t, something is very wrong, and they need help to start getting closer again, because they have chosen to spend a lifetime together. That is what marriage is, a lifetime of loving each other. However, Adam and Eve didn't' have to grow closer.
Picture a married couple who have been together 75 years, complete each other’s sentences, and always know what the other is thinking. They delight in each other all the time. That couple has worked to get to that level. But, without the breakdown in mankind, Adam and Eve were already there.
It’s a great shame that mankind has regressed, since the Fall, to the point it has. As we’ll see, a man named Lamech, in Cain’s line, not only violated the notion that the two would be as one by having a second wife, he totally refused to cleave to his wives. His loud boastings are those of an emotional abuser, one who would take whatever he wants, instead of giving out of love and a lack of selfishness.
For now, however, Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship. There was no problem with communication, no drifting apart, just a couple that truly understood the notion of unconditional love, because they hadn’t yet experienced that sin nature that they would soon bring into the world.
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