Chapter Summary 3

Series 3 (Genesis 2-3) Chapter Summary

 

The innocence and harmony of original Creation are shattered when Adam and Eve choose to disobey God, with consequences that affect the entire human race. The story of the Fall is Scripture’s explanation for the sin and evils that mar society, corrupt personal and international relationships, and doom us to biological and spiritual death. It actually all begins in chapter 2:8 where we are introduced to the trees in the Garden of Eden. Everything is perfect and God has given a warning of the danger of partaking and even touching the tree of life. The entire Garden was at the disposal of Adam and Eve but this one tree of life and death was forbidden. Mankind was given the freedom of choosing to either obey God and accept His best or disobey God and pay the price of disobedience. Here is where the downfall of mankind began and will continue until the final return of Christ.

 

Chapter (3:1-6) explores temptation , the impact of sin on relationship with God (vv. 7-12) and with other persons (vv. 12-13). It records God’s devastating judgment on man and woman, and the impact of human sin on nature itself (vv. 14-20). Adam and Eve are exiled from Eden (vv. 21-24). But first God Himself provides them with coverings of skin: Scripture’s first word of a forgiveness won through the shedding of blood (v. 21).

THE KEY VERSE IS (3:10):

Sin alienates us from God and His love.

THE PERSONAL APPLICATION:

Sin does have consequences. Only by fleeing to God rather than from Him can we find help.

THE KEY CONCEPTS:

Curse: (1) Sacrifice (2) Satan

Death: (1) Satan (2) Temptation

Sacrifice: (1) Temptation

 

TEMPTATION:

 

Satan’s devious enticement of Eve reminds us that we cannot be forced to sin. But we are vulnerable to temptation. Satan first misrepresented God’s word (3:1; cf. 2:16-17), then directly denied it (3:4), and finally questioned God’s motives (v. 5). Her confidence in God thus undermined, Eve relied on what seemed pleasurable to her physical senses, and what seemed desirable to her human understanding (v. 6)—and sinned. To overcome temptation we need to know God’s Word accurately, trust His judgment completely, and obey in the full assurance that what God chooses for us is both right and bes

 

KNOW:.

 

The fruit forbidden Adam and Eve is on the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (v. 17). The Heb. word here, yada‘, suggests a wide range of ideas. But basic to them is both the capacity to make distinctions and to experience. As long as Adam and Eve “knew” only good, they remained innocent, choosing and experiencing only what was right in God’s sight. They did not even see opportunities to do wrong! The Fall introduced the capacity to see evil choices as well as good ones, and with it the desire to try both! How urgently you and I today need to know good. But not to know evil.

 

I WAS AFRAID:

 

Gen. 3:10 How stunning this reaction of Adam’s is. He has walked and talked with God. He has known God’s love in a deeply personal way. Yet now, aware of his guilt, Adam runs from God and tries to hide. Adam’s reaction helps us understand our own sense of alienation from God when we sin. But God’s search for Adam and Eve reminds us that, even when we sin, God does not abandon us. He continues to care. We need to remember this, and when we fall, we need to hurry to Him rather than run away.

 

SHE GAVE ME:

 

Gen. 3:12  It’s so hard to take responsibility for our own acts. Adam tries to blame God, who put the woman there, and Eve, who gave him the fruit. And Eve tries to blame the serpent (v. 13). Sin not only alienated Adam from God: it introduced hostility into his relationship with Eve as well! The only way we can keep our relationship with God and others pure is to accept responsibility for our sins and failures, and rely on

forgiving love to heal the damage done.

 

PAINS IN CHILDBEARING:

 

Gen. 3:16 Some take this to refer to the introduction of a monthly, rather than a more widely spaced menstrual - cycle.

HE WILL RULE:

 

(3:16). Male dominance in the family is a consequence of sin. Why perpetuate it in the Christian home?

 

EXPELLED FROM EDEN:

 

(3:21-24). Banishment from Eden was not punishment. It was for Adam’s and Eve’s benefit. How terrible if they had been forced to live forever (v. 22), and see the anguish and suffering their sin brought on their descendants! Biological death is in fact a gift of grace. In the resurrection we will shed the stain of sin that keeps us company here, and know the full extent of the redeeming love of God.