It was bliss. Adam and Eve worked the garden free of the challenges we now experience. They enjoyed each other. They fellowshipped with God. It was picture-perfect, a dream come true. But, this is not the world we now know, is it? Certainly not. Moses explains why in the next part of the story.
Cue the sinister theme music. Open the scene. In the garden, “the serpent” crawls up to Eve. He is described as “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” It is Satan in animal form.
“Eve, did God really say you cannot eat anything in the garden?” The serpent exaggerated. He wanted Eve to be suspicious of God. She corrected him, but the seed of mistrust was already planted. She responded with some embellishment of her own, “No, God forbade only one tree, but He said we cannot even touch it!”
The serpent won her allegiance, and they were both lying about God’s word. So, he seized the opportunity and went in for the victory. “God is lying! He doesn’t want you to be like Him, but I want what’s best for you. You can trust me, not Him!”
In this brief encounter, the serpent disrupted all of God’s design. He invaded man’s work, interfered with gender roles, and threw marriage into confusion. Eve was not helpful. Adam was not protective. God’s design was in shambles. And, because of it, the couple was vulnerable. So tragedy happened: “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” Eve sinned. Adam followed her. Their innocence was lost, and guilt reigned in their hearts. God’s design was now broken.
Reflections
- In what ways was God’s design broken? How did the serpent effectively disrupt God’s design and cause His people to turn against Him?
- What does this part of the story tell us about God’s nature? What does it say about His trustworthiness and goodwill for mankind?
- In what ways can this story help you today? What insight will equip you to resist temptation and motivate you to trust God’s Word?