The Fall (Genesis 3-5; Proverbs 8)

Today we begin with the turning point in the history of humankind--the Fall.  A lot of "firsts" happen in Genesis 3:  first lie, first temptation, first sin, first shame, first cover-up, first relationship destroyed, first blame-game, first confession, first recognition of Satan as a deceiver, first curse, first promise of a Messiah, first promise of Satan's future destruction, first parental challenge, first marrital conflict, first work struggle and first sacrifice for sin.  Wow.  How's that for the Gospel wrapped up in one little chapter of the Bible?

And it all begins with Satan questioning God and attempting to cast doubt in the minds of God's image-bearers.  Notice the Enemy doesn't go to Adam with this tactic.  He recognizes Eve as the more vulnerable of the two, and he seems to already be aware of the influence this beautiful creature has upon her man.  Yet we learn in Genesis 3:6 that Adam was right there with her when the serpent was tempting her.  Did Adam stand up to the serpent and say, "No way!  This is what God commanded us."  Did Adam seek to protect his wife from the wiles of the Enemy?  No.  He passively stood by and listened, then joined Eve in her folly when she offered the fruit to him.  She was vulnerable and covetous, and he was passive.  Satan succeeded in marring God's image upon mankind--because God is not passive, nor can He be tempted (James 1:13).

We must give Eve credit for at first speaking God's truth when the serpent sought to create doubt in her mind.  In verses 2 and 3 she responds with the true words of God's command to them.  But then Satan makes it all too desirable when he assures them they will be like God.  Does he do that to you like he does to me, getting our focus off God's good commands and instead onto all the benefits that lie in store if we just do what he is suggesting?  Surely no harm will come from it but only good, right?  His tactics never change--he uses the same old tricks as he did in the garden.

In verse 9 God asks Adam, "Where are you?"  Of course God knew exactly where he was, but He is giving Adam the opportunity to reflect on what has just happened and take ownership of his sin.  The truth is, where Adam and Eve were was separated from God for the first time since He breathed life into them.  Death had begun in their mortal bodies because of the choice they made.  Adam blames Eve, then Eve blames the serpent.  But they both own up to eating the fruit.  Confession of sin.

Sin has consequences, and the first sin brought consequences for all of mankind and creation.  Take note, however--only two curses are given, and they are NOT upon the man or the woman.  God curses Satan, giving the first promise of a Messiah--that one who comes from woman (Jesus) will one day crush Satan's head.  Last of all God curses the land, causing it to no longer be this amazing garden easily providing every need for the human race.  Now instead it will produce thorns and thistles and will be worked by the sweat of man's brow.

In between these two curses, God lets the woman know that now she will give birth in pain (and He seems to imply that she will raise children with pain, too).  Then God makes it clear that since she invited her husband to join her in sin, now her relationship with him will be ripe with conflict throughout their lives.  She must be submissive to her husband, now, because she led him into sin.  Have we not seen the pain of child-rearing and the conflict of marriage played out over and over in the lives of humans ever since?  In case you feel frustrated with either of these, now you know the source. 

Because Adam listened to Eve, he will now have to work HARD for everything they need to survive.  Sound familiar?  Now you know why.  Instead of getting frustrated with your man for this, try being a blessing instead of a curse to him and show him your appreciation for all he does to provide for you and your family.  (I'm speaking to myself on this one, too, just so you know!)  For those of you who work outside the home, remember this the next time you deal with conflicts and frustrations at work.  It all began in the garden with the Enemy of our souls.

So the man and woman try to cover up with fig leaves.  Our cover-up for our sin is always pathetic, isn't it?  God makes very clear to man after the first sin that we do not have the ability to make it right when we sin.  Only God can make it right.  So the first sacrifice had to be made.  We can read between the lines that God sacrificed an animal in order to clothe them with the animal's skin (verse 21).  This is a foreshadow of the Lamb who will be slain to cover the sins of the world--Jesus.  It is also the first of many animals to be sacrificed for the sins of God's people, which we will read about in coming chapters.

Now, because God loves the man and woman who are made in His image, and He plans to one day redeem His image in them which has now been marred by sin, he sends them out of the garden.  How is that good?  Well, think about it. 

If they remain in that garden and decide to eat from the tree of life, they will live forever--in their sinful condition.  No way!  God has a much better plan.  He is going to continually give them the promise of a Savior, so that they might believe in this coming Messiah.  Then one day the Messiah will come, and they can now believe in the one who came, died and rose again to give them new life.  God is going to allow man to die physically, but not spiritually.  He will provide a way for new spiritual life!  When man believes in Christ as his Savior and sheds his decaying body at his final breath, he will be given a new and perfect body for eternity!  Oh how good is our God!

We will eventually read in Revelation the fulfillment of this, when man enters heaven and returns to the tree of life, whose "leaves...are for the healing of the nations."

Genesis 4 tells us the story of Adam and Eve's first sons.  We learn that they have already begun the practice of giving to God from His provision to them.  Cain, however, seems to do so out of duty, not devotion.  He just gives a portion, but not the first portion as he should.  Abel, on the other hand, gives the first and the best to God.  God makes it clear to Cain He is displeased with his half-hearted offering, and out of jealousy Cain commits the first murder.  Just like God did with Adam, He gives Cain the opportunity to confess his sin when He asks Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?"  Unlike his father Adam, Cain refuses to confess his sin to God, speaking in a way to Him that I refer to as "sassing back."  Not good.

So, unlike his father and mother, Cain receives a curse upon himself (v. 11).  He is permanately separated from God (vv. 14, 16).  I cannot imagine anything that would grieve me more than this:  "from Your face I shall be hidden," and "[he] went away from the presence of the LORD."  O the pain this must have given to Eve's heart!

But God is good and faithful.  He allows Adam and Eve to bring forth another son named Seth, and from this son will eventually come God's chosen people.  Seth gave birth to a son named Enosh, and for the first time "people began to call upon the name of the LORD."

In Genesis 5 we realize that the first man and woman were created without sin, but their offspring and all that would come after them are born with a sinful nature (Gen. 5:1, 3).  David confirms this truth in Psalm 51:5.  Most of chapter 5 is the geneology of Adam, letting us know just how long man lived when the world was new (by the way, Methuselah holds the record with 969 years).  But a few beautiful verses are tucked in there!

For the first time ever we read the phrase that a man "walked with God" when we come to Enoch in verse 22.  Not only that, but we learn that Enoch never faced death!  "Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Gen. 5:24)  Did you know that was in Scripture?  You can read about him again in the great "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11:5.  Enoch is commended for pleasing God--wow.  I want to please God so much that He just can't wait any longer so He takes me straight up to heaven to be with Him!  The only other person God does this with in Scripture is Elijah.  What a legacy!

Then Lamech gives the first prophecy we read from a man's lips.  It is in regards to his son Noah.  In the next two day's readings, we will read about that prophecy being fulfilled.

Finally, we read Proverbs 8, a great passage about wisdom.  So many beautiful truths are in this chapter, so be sure to take them all in.  If we will seek wisdom above all other things, we will not be so likely to commit the sins we have read about thus far; and when we do, we will be wise enough to know we need to go to God on our knees in brokeness and confession.  Read this glorious promise: 

³² “Now then, my children, listen to me;
   blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
   do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
   watching daily at my doors,
   waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
   and receive favor from the LORD.
³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
   all who hate me love death.”

Dear friends, let us not neglect wisdom, but seek it with our whole heart.  Enjoy your search this day.