Genesis 3 Part III: A Broader Picture

Genesis 3 is one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. In this chapter, we find many of the major doctrinal themes of Scripture. Here, with little imagination, we find divine commandment, Satan, original sin, judgment, redemption, love, and prophecy of the coming Messiah. More peculiarly, many have suggested that there was human error before the fall, even adding to God’s word. Revelation 22:18. Adam is considered a likeness of Jesus before the fall. Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22;

Another important aspect of this chapter, is this is the beginning of the account of the world as we, at least partially, know it. We have little knowledge and no experience regarding what the world was like before the fall. About all we can know with much Scriptural certainty about the world before the fall, is that it had fewer thorns and thistles, and that humans lived in a wonderful spot on it that we now call Eden. The world is changed again in the account of the flood, suggesting we may know only a little more about the world between the times of Adam and Noah.

Some preach that Adam’s sin was greater than Eve’s because she was deceived and Adam was not. Some preach that Adam is greater than Eve because she sinned first. Another interesting perspective is that their marital union represents the NT symbol of Christ’s relationship with the church. Ephesians 5:25-30. This view proposes that Eve sinned, and Adam loved her so much that he became sin for her so she would not be alone in her predicament. Sound familiar? 2 Corinthians 5:21. That view certainly does not absolve Adam of disobeying God, but it is something you might hear preached. It may give us, however, a hint of the depth of Christ’s love for us.

Lastly, I would like you to consider that Satan (either in the form of the serpent, or controlling the serpent) brought to Eve’s mind the thought of eating the forbidden fruit, this does not make Satan responsible for her eating it. Satan showed her the fruit, and twisted God’s word, but Eve showed that she clearly understood God’s commandment, albeit with an additional adulteration. Adam and Eve are responsible for their sin, not Satan and not God. Eve saw the fruit was “good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise.” 1 John 2:16. The same concepts hold true of our sins today. Satan, being a fallen angel, cannot separate us from the love of God. We are protected from many things, yet we are not protected from ourselves in our own selfishness. Romans 8:38.


Some interesting thoughts for your reflection:

The ground was cursed to bring forth thorns.
Christ wore a crown of thorns on the cross.

Consider Adam and Eve’s relationship before and after the fall.
Marriage is a symbol for the relationship between Christ and His bride (the community of saints.) Ephesians 5:13-33.

Christ loved us while we were yet sinners. Romans 5:8
God made coats of animal skin for Adam and Eve after they sinned.

A tree served as a vehicle that brought curses to humanity in Genesis 3.
Christ was made a curse for us by hanging on a tree. Galatians 3:13

Seed, to us and to ancient Hebrews, represent the male contribution to reproduction.
Genesis 3 refers to the seed of the woman, which may suggest the coming virgin birth of Jesus. See also Revelations 12:17.
What other evidence is there that Christ is the seed of the woman that the serpent is to bruise? Isaiah 53. especially v. 5.

As always, I am blessed by your comments, conjecture, proclamations, questions, and answers. May God bless us as we study and do His word. Thanks for reading.