10 Weeks in Genesis: Lesson 2
WEEK TWO: WATCH EPISODE 3 FROM BIBLE IN A YEAR STUDY
SIN AND A PROMISE:
The biggest story of Genesis 3 has to be the story of Jesus. Of course, we'd say that's the case for the Bible as a whole, but in this chapter, we see the first clear indication of Jesus and the second. But before we get to that, we must consider a few small things first.
First, the serpent mentioned here is the Devil. Though Genesis is unclear about this issue, the rest of the Bible makes it obvious. We notice in Revelation 12:9 that the terms "That serpent of old," "The Devil," and "Satan" are all used about one person. The same names repeat in Revelation 20:2.
Second, the Devil makes a promise to Eve that she will become "like" God. This is deception at its finest since humanity was already made in the "image and likeness of God" in Genesis 1. But the Devil promises additional wisdom and knowledge. It's a fool's errand since the things of God can not be discerned or learned by any means other than through the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, we who have put faith in Christ find we have been made new and are now in the likeness of God, bearing his righteousness and holiness through faith. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Ephesians 4:22-24) We do notice that God says, "Man has become like us, knowing good and evil." Unfortunately, this knowledge corrupts the original couple, resulting in their banishment from the garden.
Third, some people equate the characteristics of the tree in verse six with sinful behavior outlined in 1 John 2:16. People assume "good for food, a delight to the eyes, and desired to make one wise" is synonymous with the sinful behaviors of "the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life." I've heard more than one sermon that sought to marry these two texts. The problem is the Bible does not make this correlation. In fact, the first two things Eve notes about the tree are the very (good) things God created the tree to be in Genesis 2:9.
Now, to the significant matters of this episode: Adam and Eve sin, and though it appears the fault rests on Eve, we see Paul put the blame for sin's entrance to the world on the shoulders of Adam (Romans 5). But even amid the sin where these two people should have been "dead dead," we find God makes a promise for future grace and provides immediate covering for sin. In Genesis 3:15, God speaks to the serpent, "I will put hatred between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." To many, this is the first promise of a savior, one who would come in the likeness of mankind to redeem them from the impact of sin. The prophecy includes Satan's crushing and the savior's bruising. Both of these take place at the cross.
Let's consider each of these things in turn. Satan comes promising a deception that Eve believes. She then gives the fruit to her husband, who is with her. First Timothy 2:14 tells us that while Satan deceived Eve, he did not deceive Adam. I find myself unwilling to speculate too much about what this means, so I take it at face value. Eve was not sure what she was doing when she ate the fruit, but Adam was fully aware of his sinful behavior. We see in Romans 5:12,17 that sin entered the world through "one man" and that through "one man's trespass" death reigned. So then we know that it was not Eve who introduced sin to the world, but rather Adam. (Consider also that it was only after Adam ate the fruit that their eyes were opened.) Now and again, I'll see a t-shirt with an apple on the front and a bite taken out of it. The shirt reads, "Thanks, Eve." Other people like to joke, "The reason women have such a difficult time picking dinner is because they doomed humanity the first time they decided what to eat." I don't particularly find either of these funny, but I also recognize that they are biblically wrong since Adam is the one the Scripture blames. So, even if one finds these anecdotes comical, they are still unfounded.
God tells Adam and Eve that there will be hatred between the "seed" (singular) of Eve and the offspring of the serpent. Let us not forget that the Devil is the father of lies, a murderer, and has been practicing sin from the beginning. (1 John 3:8, John 8:44-45) But Jesus, by his death, brings about the destruction of the Devil (Hebrews 2:14) and will ultimately cast him down forever into the lake of fire prepared for him and his fallen angels. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:7-10)
You see also that instead of killing Adam and Eve, God makes a covering of animal skin for the sinners. Though they deserved death and though they had sought to create a cover of their own means, God instead made the first covering for sin. Even as he made the first, the final covering for sin would also be of his provision. Part of the beauty of Genesis 3 is that though the sinners deserved death, God instead gave them grace. We know that we are no different, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," and "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 3:23, 6:23) Notice also, Romans 5:15-17 where five times in three verses we are reminded that the work of Jesus is a "free gift." When we deserved death, we were instead offered a covering for sin in Christ our Savior.
Lastly, you see Adam and Eve cut off from the Tree of Life so they won't stretch out their hand, take from it, and live forever. Here, in Genesis three, we see these pathetic sinners cut off from paradise, exiled on the earth, and separated from God. In Revelation, we will see people of faith joined to God, dwelling on a new earth, and freely partaking of the Tree of Life. Don't be surprised by the many reversals in the Scripture. What sin has undone, God has gloriously rebuilt. The "tree of life" is used in Genesis, Proverbs, and Revelation. We know how it is used in Genesis. In Proverbs, it is associated with the wisdom of God and gentle speech, and in Revelation, it is given back to the people of faith so they may partake of it.Revelation's final reference to the Tree of Life is a warning to those who disregard the words of God that they will be cut off from the Tree of Life and the holy city. This is a call back to Genesis 3. Don't overlook the fact that Adam and Eve are cut off from the tree of life so they won't take from it and live forever. (Genesis 3:22-23) Presumably, it would have been okay for them to eat from the Tree of Life earlier since the only tree that was forbidden to them was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but now that they have transgressed the commands of God they are forbidden from eating the tree of life. Graciously, that opportunity is restored to those who overcome and cling to God in righteousness.
So, in the space of a few verses, we see the story of sin, the promise of redemption, and the hope of restoration. The fullness of the gospel is found in Genesis 3.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
God provided the first covering for sin as he would the last.
Genesis lays the groundwork for the entire Gospel story.
What was undone in Genesis 3 will be restored in the return of Christ.
DISCUSSION:
What, if anything, stood out to you today in the video? What thoughts were new or encouraging to you?
Why do you personally think it is significant that God provided the first covering for sin?
How does this chapter help bring the gospel into clearer focus for you?
What might the text be implying since sin didn't take its hold on the earth until Adam ate from the fruit?
Think of the key players in Genesis chapter 3: God, the sin-covering (Jesus), the sinful people who were covered, Satan, and the Tree of Life. Think of how each of these roles is fulfilled in Revelation. Do you find it significant that the Bible opens and closes with a similar narrative? How does this shape, if at all, your view of the Bible as a unified story of redemption through Jesus?
What is a key takeaway from today's lesson you hope to hold on to?
PRAYER:
Take some time to thank God for his provision for salvation, the promise that the Devil will be crushed, the hope of being restored to glory, and the promise of one day partaking in the Tree of Life.
