Old Testament Word Study

Mark Berlin

PPM 240

Rev. John Saleska

3/18/99

Old Testament Word Study

Genesis 3:1-15 (specifically vs.6 - 15)

Vs. 6:  The fruit of the tree of knowledge was good and pleasing to the eyes.  Note the connection to the eyes.  After eating the fruit their eyes were opened.  Investigate the connection, if any. 

Vs. 7:  Their eyes were opened.  What is it that they first see – their nakedness and to be more specific their own guilt.  Sewing fig leaves together, they attempt to hide their guilt and shame with aprons of their own design and making.  Perhaps this can be looked at as works righteousness.  Adam and Eve try to hide what they have done using human means.  This is the religion of man in it simplest form.

Vs. 8:  they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden.  Is this merely descriptive of the scene or is there more to it?  Investigate the parallel of our hearing the sound of our Lord’s voice as he calls us.  Also reflect on how Christ walked among us.  From the very beginning He has been calling and walking among sinners and justifying them.

Vs. 9:  God calling sinners (Adam).  Where are you? – God looks for the lost and finds them in Christ. Note that the Lord doesn’t ask Adam -- what have you done?  This will be a frequently asked question in the future. 

Vs. 10:  Adam hears God’s voice.  God’s M.O. is the same today as it was then.  He calls us by his Word.  I was afraid because I was naked.  Note this is the first time fear occurs.  It is a natural result of sin.  What is it that we are afraid of?  Our nakedness – guilt and shame as a result of sin.  The natural tendency of a naked person is to hide.  Adam’s attempt to hide from God is absurd and impossible.  He knows this, but being naked he can not help himself.

Vs. 11:  Who told you.  Again the Lord shows the proper use of His Law.  He doesn’t ask –what did you do?  Have you eaten?  Adam knows that he has done wrong.  The Law is applied.  Christ leads him to confession thereby beginning the reconciliation process.

Vs. 12-14  These vs. detail the confessions of Adam and Eve.  Though they are excusatory they are still confessions.  “I ate.”   The serpent is cursed.  You shall eat dust all the days of your life.  Could there be a link to the idea of death?  From dust you came and to dust you shall return.  Or could the link be with annihilation or destruction?

Vs. 15:  God’s unmerited grace is exemplified.  Adam and Eve do not ask for forgiveness or reconciliation.  Their is no decision theology here.  They are dead.  Christ announces the good news -- justification by grace through faith in Christ.  He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heal.  His grace is also shown in that He proclaims that the women shall have an integral part in salvation history.  Satan used her to bring death into the world.  God will use her to restore it.

Commentary Study

            The biggest question addressed by the commentaries was whether or not this text is Messianic or not.  The conservatives claim that it is Messianic and this is the premise from which this sermon will be written.  The liberal camp would have us believe that this is merely a case of etiology, explaining why snakes don’t have legs.  Most commentaries mention that this text is protoevangelium (the first hint of the Gospel).  That is putting it mildly.  It looks likes Christ is in Satan’s face, in the presence of sinners, and defending them.  Note New Testament statements relating to this theme.  The central theme is that God seeks out sinners.  God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes or judges sin (the cross); God protects and reconciles man to Himself.