Ep. 3. Genesis 3 | Sin and Promise

EPISODE 3

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, I think it is important to 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 in reference to 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.

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 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. 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.

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. And as he made the first, so also the final covering for sin would be of his provision.

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.

Additional Reading: Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2; 1 Timothy 2:14; Romans 5, Ephesians 4:24; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 John 2:16; 1 Samuel 17:49; Judges 4:21; Matthew 27:33; Psalm 68:21; Galatians 3:26-27; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14,19; 1 Corinthians 1