Genesis 3

The Serpent

The serpent was crafty, or cunning… crafty and cunning can be used in a number of ways. It could be for Good.

Jesus said, Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16 ESV

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

or it can be used for evil… as we see in the text. The snake could be seen as crafty, and cunning, for it can get through many places un heard, seemingly unseen. But this was no ordinary serpent… this was an even sneakier one.

The devil entered into the animal in order to present himself to Eve in a seemingly harmless way. We know this from the judgments God gives at the end of chapter 3. However, we have the privilege to know this too from Revelation 12:9

Revelation 12:9 ESV

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Understand that the older teachings of this what that this serpant was more than a snake, but satan’s literal presence in the Garden.

The Snakes and the woman dialogue:

The tactic used it to cause doubt… Is this still a tacit used? What do doubts to to our minds? (Also causes us to give up)

Then Eve rebutts with a wrong quotation(stringent)… And does not call the Lord by his name, but by the name the serpant calls him. She omits, yahweh, Lord and simply says, Elohim… Maybe this is the first instance where God is watered down from his glory and dumbed down to the devil’s standard.

Then the serpent questions the motives of God… Then reqorks the command given by God in a number of ways but primarily in taking all of the substance out of it, twisting it ever so slightly, and using it against Eve. HE also does something which will later be known as gnosticism, but can be seen here in the garden. He speaks in such a way to have a better understanding of God than God himself. That he has some kind of special knowledge… He says summed up, that God is holding back on them, and the devil knows it to be true…

How do we see this tactic used today?

Here is the problem with lying it always is mixed with truth so it takes quite of bit of work to discern, and it promises or hides falsehoods… The serpent spoke only about what she would gain and avoided mentioning what she would lose in the process

The Man and Woman sin:

The pace quickens… But where was Adam? There with her..

Genesis 1–11:26 (2) The Man and Woman Sin (3:6–8)

If the naming of the animals by Adam shows an awareness of their characteristics (2:19–20), then it is not surprising that the woman is unaware of the serpent’s shrewdness, but there is no excuse for the man.187 Paul was emphatic that Adam was not misled (1 Tim 2:14).

He followed the example given by the woman without hesitation… We need to take heed of this, because how often does this happen today? I get it, women are wise. They are! But who is to do the leading? Who is to be the head of the family, the leader if you will? The man. Even though Eve was deceived first, Adam is still held responsible by God for the whole thing...

And when they ate, their eyes were open and they were aware they were naked. Before they had sinned they had no guilt, no shame. They were complete and covered in God himself. But when they ate, they were stripped of that, literally. They became aware of their nakedness and immediately found something to cover themselves with. When they realized their nakedness, they realized a knowldege of good and evil. Before all they knew was good… very good! But now, they knew evil. It was to be exposed, without the covering of the Lord.

This idea will come back up when they are taken from the garden. Their covering is removed at a larger level.

But they died a spiritual death that day. They obviously had the ability to sin, but had not yet. And in that they had bliss. And the moment they sinned, they had heartache, guilt, and shame.

My friends, are you washed and covered in Christ? For God washes us in the blood of the lamb. But he also covers us again, he covers our shame not in fig leaves, not in animal skins, but he covers and clothes us with righteousness. Guilt is on the conscience of every human being. Some hardhearted stuff it down, and try not to pay attention. While those who have heard the gospel and have responded in a salvific way, realize their guilt and run to the one who can clothe them. Without these clothes we will not be fit for the everlasting garden awaiting us. So, come to Christ. Be clothed in HIM!