Chapter thirteen identified God as the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1.17). The Lord demonstrated this characteristic in providing man a home in the garden of Eden. In addition to having a place to stay, God provided humans with the blessings of purposeful work and a plan for happiness and fulfillment through being fruitful and multiplying (Genesis 1.28-30). It was not long before the perfection of creation was corrupted. In this chapter we will examine sin as the barrier between man and God and the need for reconciliation.
Adam and Eve’s sin leading to expulsion from Eden is typically what comes to mind when we think about the spiritual downfall of man, but they are only partly to blame for the transgression. Evil was introduced through Satan who worked to discredit and challenge God’s authority. A careful analysis of the events in the garden provides clarification regarding the nature of sin, the character of the Devil and the inherent weakness of mankind. We will also see that although harsh consequences were pronounced by the Lord, He expresses justice, mercy and love for His created beings.
God gave Adam and Eve simple instructions that governed their activities. These first commands can be considered a simple law, and like all laws, carried penalties for infractions. Adam and Eve were to dress and keep the garden, be fruitful and multiply, and sustain themselves with the food provided in Eden. The only limit placed on them was that they should not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2.16-18) which carried a negative consequence for violation. God stated they would die in the day they ate of the tree’s fruit (Genesis 2.17) specifying the nature of the consequence invoked. These events identify a precedent that appears throughout the scriptures whenever God issues commands. God blesses, details the continuation of blessings through doing what is acceptable and details penalties for violation. God is vindicated as righteous and just in that he has given ample information by means of His word so that those who choose to disobey cannot say they were not warned.
Satan is a spiritual being and demonstrated a knowledge of God’s commands when he approached Eve. Satan asked, “Hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3.1). Eve, likewise, shows her knowledge of the command in her response to Satan’s question as she answers, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden 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.” (Genesis 3.2-3).
Satan’s character is revealed in the next statement when he says, “Ye shall not surely die: 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.” (Genesis 3.4-5). Satan implies that God was fearful of man becoming knowledgeable reducing the image of the Almighty from a position of strength to one of weakness. Satan expresses hatred for the Lord by demeaning the status of God, insinuating that the creator could be threatened by that which He had made. Satan’s statement embodies the promise of something which will elevate Eve to God’s level or higher, remarking that, “...ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen 3.5). The idea that an object possessed properties that would grant anyone power is an idea that survives to this day.
Satan’s disrespect for God and His authority can be seen in his manipulation of the facts. His implication that Eve could become a god, simply by eating the fruit which had been forbidden is a fantasy introduced by means of a lie. Satan knows what will happen if Eve transgresses God’s command. Simply stated, Satan indicates that there is a promise of something that is not attainable. The allusion to greatness is without substance and has the intent of damaging God’s credibility.
Eve’s reaction demonstrates the inherent nature of human weakness. John describes this weakness when he states, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2.16). Eve exhibits these attributes in rapid succession as she listens to Satan. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food ....” (lust of the flesh), “ ....and that it was pleasant to the eyes ....” (lust of the eyes), “....and a tree to be desired to make one wise ...” (pride of life), “...she took of the fruit thereof and did eat....” (Genesis 3.6).
Consider the impact of the story contained in these short verses. Satan discredits God, presents the Lord in a position of weakness and fear of mankind’s achievement, infuses the notion of magical qualities into the forbidden fruit and suggests that Eve can be empowered in ways that God does not want her to have access to. Once the stage was set, all that was needed was to suggest a solution. Satan created a problem implying that Eve was not all she could be, and handed her a way to make it better. While not telling the woman to do anything, calling attention to the fruit and asking these questions led her to consider the possibilities. Therein lies one of the problems humans have with temptation. Sin often begins with the idea that we are deficient, God is in the way, and there is an answer to the problem. Unfortunately the answer to the problem will most likely seek to diminish the role of God in the affairs of mankind and encourage the idea that the Lord is holding us back. The faithful, challenged by such obstacles, remember the word of the Lord and hold to it.
Fantasy, delusion and magical thinking are a few of the terms we use today to describe this type of reasoning. The absence of critical evaluation of facts leads to the formation of ideas that conflict with reality causing harm if we ignore the truth. Eve’s failure to recall and act in accordance with God’s command damaged the relationship with the Lord. Satan’s fabrication and presentation of a lie held a destructive influence resulting in spiritual disaster. Engaging in this type of reasoning denies God’s power and authority casting doubt on the credibility of God and His commands. The same process occurs whenever we decide to ignore God’s word and follow our own opinions in spite of what the scriptures teach. The temptation of Eve clearly shows the human weakness of failing to consider the long term effects of the decisions we make.
Eve’s determination that the fruit was good for food indicates the effect Satan’s statements had on her. She had never eaten the fruit and by experience had no proof to support this conclusion. God’s prohibition alone should have indicated it was not good to eat, if for no other reason than the directive to abstain from it. The deception perpetrated by Satan is very elaborate. One may only know for certain that a food is nourishing if that item has been eaten before and proven to be of value. A fantasy element is introduced through the aspect of visual appeal alone. Satan introduced an idea contrary to God’s command which, as noted above, had no substance. Eating is a process independent of vision yet even in the world today the appeal of well photographed and smartly packaged foods leads to the ingestion of “junk foods” that have no long term nutritional value.
The modern equivalent of the type of idea introduced by Satan is the term delusion. A delusion is a belief that is held without an objective basis or proof. Eve’s determination that the fruit was pleasing to the eyes and therefore good for food demonstrates the emergence of a delusional influence in that she formed an opinion contrary to the facts presented by God. The command not to eat, or touch the fruit, did not make it good for food. It would bring death as indicated by the Lord’s consequence which He pronounced. Satan twists this statement in order to take advantage of Eve’s innocence and identifying the Devil as a master of fraud.
Eve determined there was something to be gained by violating God’s command. Her evaluation of the situation was based on her subjective response to the deception, ignoring the reality of the situation. The tendency toward subjective thinking demonstrates that humans can be misled by appealing ideas and physical presentation. Humans are drawn to physical beauty and often assign positive values to objects and opportunities in spite of evidence to the contrary. Eve made up her mind based on partial information choosing to ignore God’s instructions. One cannot discern the character of a thing or another person based solely on outward appearance. One may be mistaken in such matters when subjective appraisals are relied upon in the absence of factual evidence. Christ’s physical presence in the world can possibly be understood better when we keep this weakness of humanity in mind.
Isaiah, speaking of Christ, states that he was “marred more than any man ...” (Isaiah 52.14) and “there is no beauty that we should desire him ...” (Isaiah 53.2). Christ’s character was expressed through sinless actions and what He taught. People could see Christ independent of His physical appearance. God in His wisdom provided a way for man to “see” the Lord as he was, without being drawn by physical appeal or charm. Contrasting this with mythological accounts of those sired by gods shows that there is a great difference between the Son of God and the ideas man holds about good and bad, or, the beautiful and the ugly.
Another fantasy element emerges in Eve’s conclusion that the tree was “a tree to be desired to make one wise.” (Genesis 3.6). Note the acceptance of the half-truth presented by Satan. God stated that the tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In His description God did not include the attribute of wisdom. One may come to a knowledge of good and evil, or good and bad, or, right and wrong, depending on what terms you choose to use, but this does not imply the determination to exercise that knowledge in a beneficial way. Wisdom is a characteristic of maturity which comes about through the exercising of one’s knowledge of good and evil in their thought and action (Hebrews 5.14). Wisdom is the appropriate usage of knowledge. In life a knowledge of good and evil is only a prerequisite for the development of true wisdom.
The subtle nature of Satan’s deception is further clarified in examining his craftiness. He at no time directs Eve to eat the fruit. She reaches this conclusion on her own in response to the Devil’s implications. Satan only presents an opportunity to transgress by negating God’s directives and diminishing the force of the consequences given. Satan states, “Ye shall not surely die ...” (Genesis 3.4) opening a door of opportunity by presenting an idea. The idea that Eve may indeed become a god through one simple action.
Eve’s intelligence is demonstrated in the fact that she takes the statements of Satan and forms conclusions of her own. The problem here is that the conclusions reached are faulty as is her spiritual reasoning in the matter. James states, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin ....” (James 1.14-15). Satan opened the door of opportunity, inviting Eve to transgress God’s command. Eve, seizing the idea, made her own observations, formed conclusions and directed her own actions. Satan did not command her to sin directly, he only provided an influence which preyed on her humanity. The weakness of Eve is an example of all of mankind, not just women. Mankind is subject to follow the imaginations or inclinations of the heart (Genesis 6.5, 8.21) and Satan seeks to take advantage of mankind’s absence of spiritual knowledge by presenting opportunities or temptations. Peter describes Satan’s working as he warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5.8).
Satan intruded into the new world and shredded Eve’s innocence by discrediting God’s wisdom and authority in the process. This was an act of violence revealing Satan’s hostile nature in the seduction and corruption of Eve. The Devil displays hate and arrogance directed at God through his actions. Unable to attack God directly, Satan preys on mankind with no regard for those who will be hurt in the process. Satan, a spiritual being, is the perpetrator of an ugly and vicious crime against God and mankind. Christ, speaking of Satan, stated, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8.44). God had warned of death for transgression, and Satan, through his lie, is responsible for the spiritual death of man.
Adam also transgressed when he ate of the fruit as it was offered to him by Eve. Paul states, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression.” (1 Timothy 2.14). Adam is not justified in this statement. Eve was innocently deceived by Satan. She knew where the tree grew, what it looked like and God’s commands concerning it. Adam, we may reasonably conclude, also had this same knowledge. Based on Paul’s statement, Adam appears to have known what he was doing and willingly ate the fruit with full knowledge of his error. Eve in this case, from a human perspective, is more excusable in her actions than Adam. The fact that the Bible deals with sin and refers to “mankind” as sinful not only identifies Adam as the first created being, but also, makes man more responsible for evil, since he, Adam, was not deceived. This is not a strength in Adam’s favor.
The integrated or balanced nature of the scriptures is evident as both Adam and Eve are held equally guilty of transgressing God’s law. The penalties enacted by God (Genesis 3.16-19) defined roles for both Adam and Eve. Both received a sentence ordained by God. Guilt is equally shared and those who would try to use this account to prove the inherent goodness or weakness of one sex or the other have missed the point. Adam and Eve both sinned and received a penalty for their transgression. They began to age and die physically as God had warned them. Since man had violated God’s law a new set of conditions were required.
The conditions imposed by God reveal the severity of the transgression. He provided Adam and Eve with everything they needed. They were in the presence of God in their sinless condition and could speak with the “voice” of God in the garden (Genesis 3.8). The consequences imposed by God had both a physical and spiritual impact on the relationship. Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden (Genesis 3.24) where they would not be in the Lord’s presence. They would have to meet their needs at great effort (Genesis 3.17-19) and they would die (Genesis 3.19).
God’s judgment in this case is characterized as cruel and dismissed as another myth by critics. Examining the context of the situation shows that this is not true. The punishment implemented by God was not for the Lord’s enjoyment. Religious doctrines in the world today teach that God was angered by the sin of man and therefore rejected him totally, placing humans in a state that could only be changed by the Lord. God was not interested in physical pain and suffering, or even the death of Adam and Eve for their sin (Ezekiel 18.23, 33.11). The physical aspects of God’s punishment served a different purpose than to make Adam and Eve feel bad. Their toiling later would remind them of the blessings God provided while they were in the garden. Their death, and the fear of it that has come down through the ages, serves as a reminder of the separation of man from God. Recognizing the nature of these reminders, those who accept the word of God can set their hearts on a return to the goodness of God and freedom from the fear of death. This is promised prophetically by God as he speaks of Christ’s death (Genesis 3.15, Hebrews 2.14-15).
The physical nature of the consequences for sin, and the events which followed, has led to much misinterpretation concerning the human condition. Adam and Eve realized they were naked after their sin, and made coverings for themselves out of fig leaves (Genesis 3.7). Some have developed the notion that covering their bodies had to do with sexuality indicating that their nakedness was inherently evil. A common concept is that nudity and sexuality are the “original sin”. The first sin was ignoring God’s direct command and doing something that was specifically forbidden. The scriptures do not hint at anything sexual in the record of this event, nor does the covering seem to have anything to do with sensual desire. Other scriptures deal with the need to be covered properly, and the strict limitations of sexual expression, but that does not present itself in this instance. Adam and Eve were created as fully grown individuals but we have to remember that they did not have the benefit of prior experience. They were somewhat childlike psychologically and we can understand their actions if we think of human development.
Humans have basic reactions when confronted with guilt or fear. Emotional situations such as this enhances our sense of vulnerability. When vulnerable we desire to be covered or protected. Small children pull their covers up to ward off monsters in the dark convinced that the cloth will protect them from imminent attack. Adam and Eve were children and their experience of guilt exposed them to the consequences they knew were coming and caused them to run for cover. Fig leaves could not protect them from God when they heard him walking in the garden (Genesis 3.7-8). Their attempt to hide from God failed when He called to them. Knowing there was no avoiding the Lord they presented themselves and gave an account of their deeds.
A representation of the final judgment can be seen in these events. The scriptures reveal that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God (Romans 14.11, Isaiah 45.23, Philippians 2.10). Christ, speaking of the final judgment, describes the fact that all nations shall be gathered before Him (Matthew 25.32) indicating that no one will be able to escape the judgment.
Paul describes the return of Christ as a time when the dead shall be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4.13-15) and statements made by Christ and Paul reveal that God’s voice contains the power to raise the dead who will then will appear before Christ in judgment. Adam and Eve in their attempt to hide were compelled to appear before the Lord at His command.
The clothing of man by God has a deeper representation in it. In order to understand this representative element the nature of sin needs to be reviewed. Satan influenced transgression of God’s commandments indicating a spiritual corruption. Adam and Eve transgressed as they felt an appeal to the flesh, conceived an idea in their minds and sinned through their actions. Sin is essentially a state of mind that leads one to act in opposition to God’s commands. The mind of man is the place where action has it’s roots and so the protection of man from sin comes through the dressing or clothing of the mind. This aspect of godliness can be seen throughout scriptures.
God provided a more durable protection for mankind as indicated by the replacement of the fig leaves sewn into aprons. The scriptures tell us that God made “ ....coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3.21). The partial covering Adam and Eve made was produced by their own device. God clothed them with garments that He made. It is needless to say that the coats of skins made by God would outlast the leaves Adam and Eve had hastily sewn together as a covering. The coats supplied by God, representing physical and spiritual protection, was an expression of love and mercy toward mankind. The couple’s guilt induced a sense of vulnerability that could only be alleviated by God whom they had sinned against. God’s desire to properly clothe and protect mankind establishes a link with the idea that one must be properly covered spiritually. The covering that will clothe and protect us is the word of God. This representative element can be found throughout the scriptures.
The idea that the knowledge of God’s word serves as a spiritual deterrent, or covering, can be found in directions to the Hebrews as they received the Law. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6.6-7). Consistent with this is David’s resolve to remain faithful to the Lord. David writes, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119.11).
The relationship between mind, action and the representation of a garment is also found in the New Testament. Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6.13-17) to protect themselves from the Devil. Isaiah speaks of righteousness as a robe when he writes, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness ...” (Isaiah 61.10). Christ told the church at Sardis, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment ...” (Revelation 3.5). Paul uses similar language in his letter to the Colossians. Paul states, “Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3.12-14).
The body of man was formed of the ground (Genesis 2.7) and became a living soul when God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils (Genesis 2.7). Without the soul the body is dead (James 2.26) indicating that the body is only a container for the soul. The idea of a container does not imply that the body and soul are completely independent. Judgment will be rendered for deeds done in the flesh (Romans 2.6, 2 Corinthians 5.10).
Sin was introduced through the weakness of the flesh as ideas were formed in a human mind. The pairing of the body and soul and the nature of sin as emanating from the mind was brought out clearly by Christ. Speaking to a multitude after rebuking the scribes and Pharisees, Christ pointed out, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” (Matthew 15.11). Later as Christ responded to the disciples concern about having offended the scribes and Pharisees he related a parable to them and explained, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.” (Matthew 15.19).
The heart that the Bible speaks of is the thinking, reasoning aspect of humans which can be directed toward good or evil. This is a decision faced by all of mankind. Joshua speaking to Israel stated, “...choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24.15). Joel pleaded with God’s people to repent when he stated, “....rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness ....” (Joel 2.13).
The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” (Psalm 94.11). The writer of Hebrews, speaking of the power of God’s word, states, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4.12). The image of the thoughts being bound together with the body is consistent with the representations discussed so far. Paul adds to the validity of this as he writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12.1).
The sacrifice of the body spoken of is not the inflicting of pain or abstinence from all pleasure as some have mistakenly interpreted. This was being taught in the first century and was refuted by Paul who stated that some taught and practiced such things as “self abasement and severe treatment of the body” (Colossians 2.23, NASB) as a form of religion that had no true spiritual effect. The sacrifice of the body is through the changing of the mind to conform to the words spoken by God. Repentance in the life of the believer demonstrates the change of heart that God desires. There is no amount of earthly pain that can be inflicted upon oneself to rid the soul of sin, nor has God required it. Provision has been made for the fulfillment of all needs through acceptance of His will.
The clothing of the bodies of Adam and Eve by God represented His desire to clothe the spiritual body. The deeds of the flesh are to be put off in the same way that one would change from dirty clothes to clean. Paul describes this in detail in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 3.1-9). Paul adds that once the old deeds are put off, the new man is to be put on, and describes the spiritual attributes which characterize this change (Colossians 3.9-17). Peter states that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1.3) and then describes the effect of putting on this spiritual garment which results in godly maturity (2 Peter 1.5-8).
The consequence of physical death as a reminder to mankind of the separation from God remains and will continue until Christ returns. Death is the last of the human trials to be put away (1 Corinthians 15.26). Mankind, because of sin, suffers death, as the writer of Hebrews states, “....it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment...” (Hebrews 9.27). Paul asks, “....who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7.24). God imposed the penalty of death for transgression and only He can save the soul after death. God’s provision for salvation is the fabric of the scriptures and has it’s fulfillment in Christ.
Death is the separation of the body from the soul This puts an end to the deeds done in the flesh for which one will be judged. The barrier of sin that separates one from God has been nullified through God’s work. This was accomplished in the finality of the sacrifice of Christ. Christ warned, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10.28). God will render final judgment through Christ and, as in the beginning, has left a warning to all of mankind in the gospel. Christ will return at God’s command to bring God’s judgment on those who “....know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ....” (2 Thessalonians 1.9). One must be properly clothed by putting on Christ (Galatians 3.27) which takes place when we obey the commands found in God’s word. Obedience to the Gospel clothes us in the righteousness that God has provided, eliminating the barrier of sin that separates us from Him, and, through faithful service protects us from the negative consequences detailed in the scriptures. Paul sums this up when he states, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.” (2 Cor 5.1-3).