Tag: Genesis 3-5
Sin’s disconnect!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Genesis 3-5
We are introduced to the “serpent” who was “more crafty” than any of the other animals that God had made. This “serpent” talked to the woman Eve. His words contradicted what God had told Adam and Eve. They were words designed to appeal Eve’s desire for that which was forbidden by God. The serpent had the ability to craft a plan that got around truth. Eve was taken in by it and took the forbidden fruit. She gave it to her husband who ate as well. They suddenly are aware of their nakedness and hide, covering themselves. Rather than being clothed with God’s Glory, shame now clothed them with a fig leaf!
God was walking in the garden. He reached out to those made in His image. He called out seeking to connect with those who were now lost! He knew what they had done but wanted to help them re-connect. When they emerged shaking in fear, God asked them to confess what they had done and take responsibility. They attempted to blame someone else or God himself! Neither wanted to confess or admit guilt.
Today, do a quick survey of your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are things you are doing that you need to take responsibility for. Confess them to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and cleansing. It’s the only way I know to get rid of sin and reconnect with God!
The blame game: The man said, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12
Truth: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9
“I ate it”
January 3rd reading: Genesis 3-5
I remember in my early childhood taking my dad’s pocketknife from the stand by his favorite chair and carving pictures on the bedroom door. It was great fun and my sister liked the pictures too. Dad and Mom were out doing chores on the farm and it was dark outside. I knew they would come in soon and slid Dad’s chair in front of the door to try and hide the “sin”. I didn’t understand it but they caught on right away when they came in the house! I initially tried to blame my younger sister for being the instigator, but was found out! I was rightfully afraid of punishment and soon reaped what I had so unwisely sown. (That was before the days when spanking was termed abuse!)
As we read this section of Scripture, we are introduced to the “serpent” who was “more crafty” than any of the other animals that God had made. This “serpent” talked to the woman Eve. His words twisted what God had told Adam and Eve. Eve was taken in by this “craft” and ate the forbidden fruit. She gave it to her husband who ate as well. They suddenly became aware of their nakedness and hid, covering themselves. Rather than being clothed with God’s Glory, their guilt now clothed them with a fig leaf!
God called out to those made in His image, knowing what they had done. When they emerged from hiding, God asked them how they knew that they were naked and if they had eaten from the forbidden tree. God used these questions to help them confess their guilt. No one likes to confess or admit guilt! Sin not only brings guilt and shame, but it also causes fear of punishment.
Today, do a quick survey of your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are things you are doing that you need to take responsibility for. Confess them to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and cleansing. It’s the only way I know to get rid of sin and its consequence, death! “I ate it.”
The man said, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9
Forbidden fruit!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Genesis 3-5
I love fruit! There’s nothing like a crisp, tart apple to make me smack my lips! When I see a tree with ripe apricots, I have sweet thoughts of one of my favorite fruits! Fresh cherries, juicy and sweet or tart pie cherries draw my attention quickly! We always had fruit trees on the farm where we lived and have planted them everywhere we lived. The times of ripe fruit are always anticipated with joy and delight!
Adam and Eve were placed in a beautiful garden planted for them by God. They were given responsibilities to tend and keep the garden. They could eat any of the fruit that they wanted, except the fruit of one tree–the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! (Genesis 2:15-17) They enjoyed their work and freely ate the delicious fruit.
One day, the serpent came and tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit. He drew her attention to it. It looked good for food and was pleasing to her eyes. (Genesis 3:6) He implied that God was withholding something that would be good for her and that God had not spoken the truth. The woman was deceived and took the fruit and ate it, hoping to become wise and satisfied! She gave some to Adam who also ate in spite of knowing God’s command! And so the deception brought death as God had spoken. Man was plunged into darkness with the knowledge of sin and evicted from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:22-23)
Forbidden fruit still temps all of mankind. We have in us a desire to rebel against the word of God and to experience what is forbidden. We think it looks good and pleasant and will satisfy us. The very fact that God has said “no” drives us to desire and partake. We find that what is forbidden actually may initially taste and feel good. Afterward, it leads to slavery, bondage, and ultimately to death.
But God provided a remedy for those who ate the forbidden fruit and for us today as well. He took an animal and clothed Adam and Eve with the bloody skins. He covered their shame and nakedness so they could stand before Him. (Genesis 3:21) For us He provided something better! The “seed of woman” that God spoke of is none other than Jesus Christ! (Genesis 3:15) He provides our covering and makes it possible for us to stand before God as forgiven children! Praise His Name forever!
I ATE IT.
January 2nd reading: Genesis 3-5
I remember in my early childhood taking my dad’s pocketknife from the stand by his favorite chair and carving pictures on the bedroom door. It was great fun and my sister liked the pictures too. Dad and Mom were out doing chores on the farm and it was still dark outside. After a while, I knew they would come in soon and slid Dad’s chair in front of the door to try and hide the “sin”. I didn’t understand it but they caught on right away when they came in the house! I initially tried to blame my younger sister for being the instigator, but was found out! I was rightfully afraid of punishment and soon reaped what I had so unwisely sown. (That was before the days when spanking was termed abuse!) Genesis 3 came alive personally to me and I would bet every one of us has learned this lesson the hard way!
As I read this section of scripture, I am introduced to the “serpent” who was “more crafty” than any of the other animals that God had made. This “serpent” talks to the woman Eve. His words contradict or twist what God had told Adam and Eve. They are words designed to appeal to desire for that which is forbidden by God. The words appeal to pride and a desire to know what God knows from a source that God warns them would cause them to die. Crafty is the ability to “craft” a plan that gets around truth. It is a lie with some chocolate covering it. Eve is taken in by this “craft” and takes the forbidden fruit. She gives it to her husband who eats as well. She is deceived and he deliberately eats. They suddenly are aware of their nakedness and hide, covering themselves. Fear has entered with death and, rather than being clothed with God’s Glory, shame now clothes them with a fig leaf!
God is walking in the garden. He is reaching out to those made in His image. He is calling to them and seeking those who are now lost! He knows what they have done but is trying to help them get free. When they emerge shaking in fear, God asks them who told them they were naked and if they had eaten from the forbidden tree. Each answer is an attempt to blame someone else or God himself! No one wants to confess or admit guilt. Sin not only brings guilt and shame, but it causes fear of punishment.
Today, do a quick survey of your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are things you are doing that you need to take responsibility for. Confess them to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and cleansing. It’s the only way I know to get rid of sin and its consequence, death! “I ate it.”
The man said, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9