Genesis 3 Revisited Notes

 Genesis 3 Revisited Notes 

The Satan (accuser/opposer) is introduced into the story. It is an evil spirit from the wilderness who has infiltrated the garden. Because the snake has a reputation in Ancient Near East as a creature of wisdom (inverted King Solomon imagery), it made sense for the Satan to possess it. It would blend in with the rest of the animals. In Hebrew, the serpent can be alternately translated as shining one. For me, it can be rendered as the enlightened one. See Revelation 2:24, Deuteronomy 18:1-18. 

 The Satan comes to the Woman and puts God's commandment in question, sowing seeds of doubt. She states that God told her not to eat AND not to touch the Tree of Knowledge, which isn't true. She added "not to touch" to God's commandment. Also, the Satan does not refer to God as Lord God, displaying a lack of reverence. The Woman is enticed about the secret, forbidden knowledge offered to her. She is convinced that this knowledge may offer her the ability to bring order (her way) outside the garden. Both Trees in the garden: knowledge and life were a double portion inheritance for sonship. If Adam and the Woman waited for the appointed time, God would remedy their moral infancy by giving them both trees at the same time. The Tree of Knowledge would have given them the knowledge of their sins, but then they would be offered the Tree of Life (Christ imagery) for redemption. It is silly to think that Adam and the Woman were not sinning before the "The Fall." They just didn't commit a high handed sin until the restriction was placed and then broken. The Woman and Adam partook in Satan's wicked communion (see King Saul and the Witch of Endor). Their new found knowledge viewed their nakedness as shameful. Their physical condition was an expression of their spiritual state. Physically naked and physically exiled out of the garden (Promise Land). Likewise, they were covenantly dead in spirit and spiritually separated from God. When they died, they went to Sheol/Hades until 70AD. Now, remember, Christ came only to reverse what Adam broke (Covenantal Death, not physical death). People still die every day. Therefore, Christ redeemed us from Covenantal Death. Otherwise, He failed His mission. When Adam and the Woman transgressed the covenant, they died covenantally that very day. God's word came true. If we are going to deny this, we are inadvertently saying that the Satan has more credibility than God simply because Adam physically died 900 years+ late.

Adam and The Woman attempt to cover their nakedness with sewn fig leaves. God enters the garden, but notices something different. God then gives both individuals a chance to present their case. Here, we notice that both individuals fear God's presence and the shift from "we" to "I". This is an "every man for themselves" mentality here. Adam then blames God for bringing the Woman into his life.

God presents a curse to The Satan. He will ultimately be defeated by the seed of the Woman-Christ. Not seed of the man. This hints at a supernatural birth. Satan will eat dust. Although it appears that Satan will be victorious over Christ on the Cross, Christ will triumph at the end of the Old Covenant age.

In verse 16, notice that the Woman's birth pains will be multiplied, not brought forth. That means pain was pre-existent before the Fall. Her family line and the Serpent's family will be fighting each other. This included the situation with Cain and Abel. It brought the Woman much heartache to see one son murdered and the other one exiled. See Luke 2:35. Interestingly, this is not a curse, but a consequence for her poor decision. The Woman will desire to be close to her husband for intimacy, safety, and resources. However, because she stumbled her husband, the husband will have a dominate demeanor that will result in hardship.

Now, God presents the second curse on the Land of Eden, not on Adam. This is not the literal creation of thistles and thorns. This is figurative language for outside the garden. Because Adam wanted the forbidden fruit so much, he will have immense difficulty farming the Land of Eden. It will not be easy like in the garden. Adam will eat plants like an animal and bread like a homeless person. The Land of Eden will be a fruitless wilderness/desert. Covenant Man and his offspring will not be able to successfully plant their own garden-vineyard in the wilderness. They won't experience how it will feel to drink and profit from their hardwork. Environmental conditions-weather, social conditions-thieves, and pests will make it burdensome. Once the curse was removed, Deuteronomy 28:30,39 applied as a lesser version of the curse.

Interestingly, in this passage, this is where many believers make the claim about original sin, animals becoming predatory, and the brokenness of the whole creation. However, the only thing that is cursed is the Serpent and the Land of Eden-where Adam and the Woman were exiled to after the Garden. Anything else is reading tradition into the text.

Adam names the Woman Eve after "the Fall." This name is used as a prophetic hope of the Messiah bringing covenantal life to their descendants. Eve is not the mother of all living creatures. She is not mother of Adam, animals, plants, bacteria, viruses, etc. A similar usage can be found in Genesis 4 with Cain's sons.

God gives them garments either by killing an animal or simply providing an appropriate covering for their nakedness. God lowers himself by serving as their high priest. He gives his covering and removes the serpent by His words. God has removed the "chaos" from the garden and brought back order. Unfortunately, Adam failed to emulate God's actions. He chose to be a slave to his desires instead of a son of God.

The Tree of Life is now withheld from Adam and Eve. They are then exiled out of the Garden of Eden into the Land of Eden. A cherubim with a flaming sword is placed in front of the Garden to protect the Tree of Life. This resembles the cherubim on the ark of the covenant's mercy seat located in the Holy of Holies. In conclusion, God wanted to test the hearts of The Satan, Adam, and Eve. All three failed. Satan chose deception, Eve chose desire, and Adam chose indifference.