The Fall

Introduction/Recap

Last week — God is sovereign and in control of the chaos

This week we turn to the next stage in the story

Read Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-24

v. 1 — Serpent changes God’s words and makes him out to be restrictive (“…any tree…”). He also says “God” instead of “Lord God”

v. 3 — Eve follows by saying “God” instead of “Lord God” and changes God’s words too (“…must not touch…”)

v. 5 — Serpent shifts from God’s words to his thoughts, like he can tell why God says what he says. He presents a distortion of the truth. It’s partially true, because they lose some innocence, but it’s a lie that God is holding out on them.

The “knowledge of good and evil” is a confusing phrase, but might be seen as a deeper understanding of right and wrong, and putting ourselves in the position to decide—sort of both gaining a deeper understanding and saying we already have it (I know what’s right so I’ll eat from this tree).

v. 6 — She shifts her focus from what God has said to what Satan says

v. 7 — They go from shrewd to nude. What started with temptation ended with shame. Rather than turning to God, they try to fix it themselves.

v. 12 — Adam tries to shift the blame to someone else (both Eve and God “the woman you gave me”)

v. 13 — Eve tries to shift the blame to someone else

v. 16-19 — It is both punishment and natural consequence. Originally the highest honors for each (childbearing and providing) turn into anguish.

v. 22 — We’re not inherently immortal. To continue to live forever in sinfulness would be misery; God’s punishment is also an act of mercy by keeping them from the tree of life. Now we only receive eternal life in conjunction with sanctification.

Why doesn’t it say Satan? Some possibilities…

Compared to Epic of Gilgamesh where the snake snatches away a plant that gives eternal life, Genesis 3 shows that sin is our fault, we weren’t helpless

Compared to nearby cultures that used snakes to worship other gods, the snake is representative of idol worship and sin Maybe it’s just left out.

Either way, we still speak of Satan in the story for a few reasons

Animals don’t talk…something out of the ordinary is happening here

The snake is a created being…the point is still being made that evil (esp. Satan) is not co-equal or co-eternal with God

Satan & demons were spiritual beings who rebelled against God

This is not about how good and evil have existed from the beginning. It’s about how God gave us free will and we chose sin because we’re rotten to the core.

Satan’s greatest question // v. 1-5 // (Did God really say…?)

At first, it seems innocent, but the intention is devastating

Here he misquotes God’s Word, but it can also be a lethal question by causing you to doubt what God really said

Y’all know I don’t have an issue with asking hard questions about the Bible, but there’s a difference between asking hard questions and doubting the honest answers

Did God really say Jesus is the only way to heaven?

Did God really say marriage is between a man and a woman for life?

Did God really say let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth?

Did God really say to run from sexual immorality?

Did God really say to look to the interest of each other?

Did God really say you’re made in his image?

Did God really say there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?

At the core of the question is the idea that God is holding out on you or that you know better than God

Our greatest issue // v. 6-13 // (sin)

Read Romans 5:12-14

verses 13-14 — Without “laws,” you can’t break the law, but you can still do wrong. Likewise, because of the “law on our hearts” (Rom. 1, our knowledge of right and wrong), we all have sinned and received death.

verse 12 — Sin’s effects are universal — like the drug baby

Far more important than dealing with your day to day issues is your personal holiness.

God’s greatest promise // v. 14-15 // (strike the head)

The initial fulfillment of v. 15 is in the death of snakes, the greater in Christ.

Romans 16:20 — “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Read Romans 5:18-21

We’ll talk next week about how people in the Old Testament heard the Gospel, but tonight it is clear for us.

In the same way God promised Good News in Genesis 3:15, he promises Good News for all those who are in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

You have an enemy so deceitful he intends to destroy your soul by having you doubt God

You have a sin issue so deep only God can bring the cure

You have a Savior so powerful that his death can bring you life.