This is one of the most important and certainly the most tragic chapter in the Bible. All the miseries of man can be traced back to the events recorded in this chapter. This alone would make it most impor­tant and tragic. It is also of prime importance because the whole revelation of salvation must be seen against the background of what occurred here.

The method of interpreting this chapter is deter­minative for the understanding of the rest of the Scriptures. If the things recorded in this chapter are seen as an allegory; if this chapter is considered just "a way of speaking" to describe the entrance of sin into this world; the suffering and death of Jesus Christ are also made questionable. No wonder that the denial of the historicity of Genesis 3 has led some to deny the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

Certainly, there are problems here. A serpent speaking does not agree with our view of natural things. However, there are so many "strange" things recorded in Scripture. Did Balaam's ass speak? Did a fish actually swallow Jonah? Did iron float? Must all such events be erased from the Bible? If the historicity of Genesis 3 is denied how can the historicity of Luke 2 be maintained? — and why should it then be maintained?

As in the account of creation so also in the descrip­tion of the temptation and fall of man the wording is clear and can be understood by all. Man must not be left in the dark concerning the origin and nature of sin. He must know how it came about and how seri­ous it is so that he may seek the only remedy which God later offers. Then he will realize that he cannot save himself.

Although the account of man's temptation and fall is clear and understandable, it is brief! In a half dozen verses the most important happening is re­vealed! This teaches us to listen carefully to the words used to describe this event.

The serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. This creature, therefore, belongs to the beasts of the field. The fact that it was more subtle is not to be taken in an evil sense but, rather, in the sense that it was more clever. Jesus counsels those He sends out with the gospel to be "wise as serpents." This serpent now speaks to the first woman. The serpent is being used by Satan as his tool, as becomes clear in the later part of this chapter and in the New Testament. Satan comes in disguise. The things which are re­vealed to us here already presuppose a fall in the angelic world. The mighty angel, Satan, was not satisfied with the place assigned him by God but wanted to be as God. (Jude 6) This one now enters the garden of Eden and uses the instrumentality of a serpent to tempt man to sin.

It is very instructive to analyze the mode of at­tack by Satan. Here we see the best diabolical mind at work. From his point of view he must not fail because it is a question whether or not another opportunity will ever be given him. He begins by ask­ing a question. It sounds innocent enough. He asks whether indeed God has said that they may not eat of any of the trees of the garden. This can also be translated "all the trees" of the garden. Let Eve take it any way she wishes. Sow doubt and sus­picion! He is asking about that which he knows. He is not seeking information. Let the woman now sort it out, and he will continue his attack according to her answer!

And, the woman answers. She answers a speaking serpent as though that is the most normal thing in the world. Instead of rebuking him and sending him out of her presence, she answers him according to his question. She informs him that they may indeed eat of the trees of the garden. God has not placed restrictions on them which would, be difficult. No, He has given in overwhelming abundance. They, the first man and his wife, are living in perfect sur­roundings and lack nothing! The whole setting is un­favorable to Satan's temptations.

However, God, has said more, says Eve. Although they may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, God also said: "...of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden ... ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." When these words are compared with 2:16-17 we see that there are important differences. Or is Eve giving a para­phrase of the actual words of God? She adds to the words and subtracts from them. God had not men­tioned that they were not to touch this tree. Instead of saying "lest ye die" He had said: "thou shalt sure­ly die." The seed which the evil one has sown is beginning to take root. If they may not even touch this tree the love relationship to their God is brought into question. Is He so good to them? By changing the wording of the penalty its certainty is questioned and only the possibility of such a penalty remains. She makes no mention of the name of the tree but only refers to its location. Satan could not have asked for more! Anyone who deals with the word of God in the way in which this woman has done is a candidate for destruction. Doubt and suspi­cion have surfaced very clearly and all subtlety can be abandoned!

The attack now becomes direct. Notice that Satan is able to quote the words which God spoke to Adam verbatim. The woman has softened the threat of penalty considerably, but Satan quotes the exact words. He now simply tells the woman that this penalty will not go into effect. Mind you, he calls God a liar! God has said that they would surely die if they ate of the fruit of this tree and Satan says they will not die if they eat of it! The lines are drawn as sharply as possible. The doubt and suspicion which he had planted in the woman's mind make him bold because he sees victory is assured.

Not only is he so bold as to deny the truth of God's statement, he accuses Him of misleading man! Ac­cording to Satan God knew that the eating of the fruit of this particular tree would be beneficial for man. Man's eyes would then be opened (but he doesn't say what they will see with these opened eyes) and he would then be as God knowing good and evil. Satan had sought to be as God and had failed. Man, though perfect, is not as God. No, he is depend­ent on God. Let him now eat of the fruit of this tree, and he will have full independence! This is the temp­tation for man. God has been placed in a very un­favorable light. His love to his God is undermined and his own, so-called, welfare is emphasized.

The Devil has spoken. He has made it clear as crystal that his hatred for God knows no bounds. He has denied God's truthfulness. He has denied God's goodness to man. He used a subtle beast of the field to approach the woman. Now he has unmasked himself.

What will be the reaction of the woman? Surely she will be offended at the attack made on her Maker! Surely she will say: Get behind me, Satan! This is the only kind of a reaction we could expect.

The reaction is, however, far different. The attack on the truthfulness and goodness of God is not even considered! Because this is not considered, the rest is understandable. She now looks at that tree and sees that it indeed appears to be good for food. That tree is beautiful — a delight to the eyes. In the con­text of the words of Satan, it could even be desired to make one wise. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain-glory of life are placed in the foreground. (1 John 2:16) She takes of the fruit and eats! Satan has won the battle. God's truth is set aside. Disobedience enters the world of man.

She also gave to her husband, and he too ate of this fruit. Satan had approached the woman. Paul emphasizes the fact that man was created before the woman but that the woman was the first to fall into sin. (1 Timothy 2:13-14) We are not told where Adam was when Satan approached the woman. Nor do we know if he was present in the latter part of the conversa­tion. Only the important thing is mentioned — he, as well as the woman ate of the forbidden fruit.

The sin committed by our first parents was not a capital offense in the sense in which we speak of it today. It was not murder. The sin committed was the sin of disobedience. It was a denial of Divine authority. That is the root sin which is capable of producing all the other sins which this world has seen since that time. Here is disobedience to the clear word of God and a denial of His authority over their lives, and the next recorded sin is ... murder!

The tempting promise of Satan was that their eyes would be opened — and now they are! The vague promise, without stating what the eyes would be opened to see, was accepted as something desir­able. Now their eyes are opened and they know that they are naked! Though they are the only two peo­ple in the world, they feel ashamed! The previous chapter closed with the statement that they were not ashamed of their nakedness before the fall. Now they are ashamed, and later they are ashamed of their nakedness before God. So they sew fig leaves together for a covering.

Satan's promises are immediately shown to be false. This is only the beginning of sorrows! How could man turn his back on the God of truth and love and listen to him who is the liar and the father of lies? But, how can man do that today when he has so much more experience of His love and faithfulness?

Man has fallen and only a miracle will restore him.

1. How could the temptation to sin be real to a per­fect person? Discuss.
2. What do we mean by original sin? Why does the first sin of our first parents affect all men, as their later sins do not?
3. How does this section teach that God is not the author of sin?
4. Is Satan's mode of attack instructive for us? Explain.
5. Why is the nakedness of man emphasized several times in the early chapters of Genesis — both in the state of rectitude and after the fall?