God addresses Adam next. The first thing one sees here is that God states that he listened to his wife. Aside from the obvious point – which was stated earlier – that they were already married before the Fall, there are a few interesting points to this.
First, God doesn’t say that Adam listened to the devil himself. This could, as noted, be a clue that Adam wasn’t present during any of the time his wife was tempted. However, more importantly, it continues the warning mentioned earlier.
We should never listen to anyone but God. We, our leaders, our loved ones, everyone else is human and subject to the wiles of the devil. The devil will often use those who love us, and who we love, the most; he goes around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) God is warning us, as well as Adam, not to be tempted because someone we love, or respect, or anything, has this great idea. We need to make sure the idea is along the lines of what God commands. Of course, there will be gray areas that God hasn’t said specifically – but in these areas we must still be wise stewards of our time, money, and other things that God has given us.
We must also realize that God is going to call us to account for what we have done, and that leaders – such as Adam, who was the spiritual leader – are accountable for much more, because they must take the lead. Adam, then is also chastised for not being the leader in this situation, but for following the one he should have led.
Also, God notes what Adam had said earlier. In blaming his wife, he tried to take the blame off of himself, and even off of the devil. He tried to say, in essence, “Well, this is the woman You gave me. Isn’t this Your problem?” God gives a flat out “no” to that. If we don’t use the things God gave us in the right way, it is totally our fault. Similarly, since we have God’s Word, the Bible, we must never misuse it for our selfish interests. Just because God gave us a gift doesn’t give us the right to do as we please.
Next, the Lord repeats His original warning. This is to echo what was just said – just because the one God gave him said differently, doesn’t mean that he should act differently. God’s Word was that Adam should not eat of the tree, and that was that.
Next, God points out that the curse of sin had spread. Not only was man cursed. Not only was the serpent, like all creatures, cursed. The ground itself was cursed. Sin had spread to the entire world with just that one act of defiance.
The trial of Galileo wasn’t just about science; it was political, too. However, the Catholic Church’s position during this time – that there could be no imperfections – shows that these leaders had totally abandoned the Bible, and were trying to have everything their own way. The ground had been cursed. Sin had spread everywhere. Indeed, we are told that Creation itself groans in pain until now. (Rom. 8:22) Not every Protestant Church has been perfect. They have made errors themselves, because they are people. However, if a church remains founded on the Word of God, that church will be in far less danger of problems. Because, the Bible may not say, specifically, that ‘the earth revolves around the sun.” It does, however, provide everything we need to know about living and loving others in a way that will build them up, and keep them from evil.
We don’t stay totally committed to God, because of our sin nature. Adam would have that sin nature with him the rest of his life. It would bring him sorrow.
Many people enjoy the simple life; farming, as noted above, is something that brings one closer to nature, and to God. Why, then, is it different for Adam? Because he knew where he’d come from. He’d been in Eden, and one of the consequences of his sin was that he would no longer be in that perfect world. God still loved him; but, like a Christian who sins, he lost blessing and rewards. He would sorrow the rest of his life, realizing just what he’d done, and what he’d brought into the world.
