III Six days’ work ended (Gen. 1:3-2:25; 3:1-24).
A Beginning of earth’s second perfect state and habitation (Gen. 3:1).
a Man’s failure: temptation and fall (Gen. 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12-21; Jas. 1:13; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 1 Tim. 2:14).
b “Serpent” comes from the Hebrew: nachash it is the word for a literal serpent.
i The serpent was a tool of Satan, otherwise, it would be unjust of God to curse it.
ii The same word is used of literal snakes throughout Scripture (Gen. 3:1-14; 49:17; Ex. 7:15; Num. 21:9; 2Ki. 18:4; Prov. 30:19; Eccl. 10:8,11; Amos 5:19; 9:3).
iii Satan has no power to transform himself into a snake, he is an angel and always will be, though he is now in a fallen state of existence (Ezek. 28:11-17).
b “Subtil” cunning (usually in a bad sense), crafty (Job 5:12; 15:5).
i Serpent’s in the garden must have had the ability to speak, or else this would have been suspicious to Adam and Eve, (Gen. 3:1-4).
ii The character of the temptation illustrates his craftiness.
iii Nothing was said at first to awaken suspicion or shock the moral sense; merely a sly insinuation calculated to excite natural curiosity.
iv After the remark meant to cause doubt, there was a direct lie combined with just enough truth to give it plausibility (Gen. 3:4-5).
v The account is neither allegory, myth, legend, nor fable, but literal and historical. They are rarely even expressed in figurative language.
vi The “seed of the serpent” refers to natural serpents being natural enemies of man, the “seed of the woman” refers to the incarnation of God as a man (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1; Mt. 1; Jn. 1:14; Rom. 1:1-2; Gal. 4:4; 1Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14-18).
vii To make the serpent figurative of Satan rather than a tool of Satan is out of harmony with all facts in Scripture.
viii The serpent is classed with the beasts of the field and cursed above them (Gen. 3:1,14), it is also spoken of as being formed by God’s hand (Job 26:13), as being cursed in the Millennium when Satan is bound (Isa. 65:25), symbolized by a great red dragon and is called “that old serpent” (Isa. 27:1; Job 41:34; Rev. 12:3-17; 20:2), and he is like the serpent of Eden who deceived Eve (2Cor. 11:3; 1Tim. 2:14); but this doesn’t make the serpent of Gen. 3 the personal devil any more than it does Peter in Mt. 16:22-23, or the kings of Babylon and Tyre in Isa. 14:12-14 and Ezek. 28:11-17.
c The remarks of the serpent caused Eve to doubt God’s Word (Gen. 3:1; Rom. 14:23).
i Three steps to the fall, she doubted God, then contradicted God and agreed with the serpent, then she disobeyed.
B Eve added to God’s Word (Gen. 3:2-3).
a Consequences of adding to God’s Word - 2 Cor. 4:2-4; Rev. 22:18-19.
b A solemn warning applies to all scriptures. (Gen. 3:2; Rev. 22: 18-19).
c One cannot change God’s eternal Word either to add to it or to take from it, and still escape His judgment, as we see Rev. 22:18-19.
C The Contradiction of God’s Word (Gen. 2:17; 3:4-5).
a The serpent went beyond the addition to God’s Word, to a complete contradiction of God’s word. (Gen. 3:4).
b The first contradiction was there would be no death for disobeying, in other words, no consequence.
c The second contradiction was that Adam and Eve would be like God if they ate the fruit.
D Adam and Eve’s Transgression of God’s Word (Gen. 3:6).
a The three main sins involved in the fall are warned against in later scriptures:
i. Lust of the flesh (Gen. 3:6; 1Jn. 2:15-17)
ii. Lust of the eyes (Gen. 3:6; 1Jn. 2:15-17)
iii. The pride of life (Gen. 3:6; 1Jn. 2:15-17)
b “husband with her” The phrase almost every preacher fails to mention or preach on when preaching on the fall.
i Adam was with Eve during the conversation with the serpent. (Gen 3:6)
ii Since Adam was to protect Eve and the garden he should have spoken up and kicked the serpent out of the garden, and he is without excuse for his part in the fall according to 1Tim. 2:14.
E The beginning of earth’s second sinful career. (Gen. 3:6).
a When Adam and Eve sinned, death and sin began working and when they had children, the consequences were passed on to the children and too all generations. (Rom. 5:12 - 14; Gen. 3:6).
b Sin is universal.. From Adam all people derive their beings (see Acts 17:26); the whole race was in his loins when he sinned.
c Adam and Eve was the very beginning of the human race, their actions affected the whole race, because at the time of the fall they were the entire human race and every human since then has come from their loins.
d When God covenanted with Adam, it was a covenant that would affect the whole race.
e His offspring became a part of the covenant and receive the blessings if he obeyed, likewise they would receive curses if he sinned.
F Immediate effects of sin (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:4; Jas. 1:15) (Gen. 3:7).
a They knew before that they were naked but had no sense of guilt or shame; but now that they had experienced sin they also experienced guilt and shame.
b When their eyes were open they did not experience a god-likeness as expected, and in fact, they lost God-consciousness (ability to be in God’s presence) and they gained self-consciousness (where shame and guilt reside).
G A new restoration work begun (First restoration was the earth, the second restoration is humanity) the first manhunt (Gen. 4:9; Lk. 15; 19:10) (Gen. 3:8).
a ”they heard” No doubt they expected God as He usually did, but in their guilt and shame they tried to hide from Him. (Gen 3:8).
b “voice of the LORD God” The voice itself caused fear (Gen. 3:10; Ps. 29; Rev. 10:4) more proof of a guilty conscience (Gen 3:8).
c “cool of the day” In the East a cool breeze comes up in the evening, this is when God would have come to meet with Adam, (Gen 3:8).
d “hid themselves” Though they did not know that it is impossible to hide from God they did their best to do so (Ps. 139:7-12; Jer. 23:24; Amos 9:2-3).
e Hiding - more evidence of guilt. (Gen. 3:8)
H Man on trial: cross-examination (Gen. 4:9-10; Job 38:1 - 42:6) (Gen. 3:9-13).
a ”called” God addressed Adam by name (Gen. 1:5,8,10; 2:19; 3:9,20; 4:17,25).
b In His love for Adam, He gave Adam a chance to come clean about his sin, guilt and shame kept him from doing so. (Gen. 3:9)
c Notice a Fourfold confession in verse ten:
i I heard: acknowledgment of God
ii I was afraid: guilt discovered
iii I was naked: effect of sin
iv I hid myself: result of guilt
d Notice in all this Adam still does not confess the reason for the guilt or the fear. (Gen. 3:10)
e There is a two-fold question here:
i First who told you that you were naked(?), and second did you eat from the tree that is forbidden?
ii The first question addresses the sense of shame, which was not the nakedness that Adam mentions
iii The second question addresses the real reason for the shame, the sin of disobedience.
iv God asked directly, did you eat and Adam had to admit his guilt to God; but in his fallen condition he tries to blame Eve. (Gen. 3:11).
v God gives Eve a chance to admit her sin, and she takes her cue from her husband and also passes the blame to the serpent (Gen. 3:12 - 13).
vi She claims the serpent beguiled or tricked her, not even mentioning the fact that Adam was with her.(Gen. 3:13).
I Third or Adamic Covenant: fivefold sentence (Gen. 3:14).
a This agreement was made with Adam and Eve after the fall and before the expulsion from the garden ushering in the Dispensation of Conscience.
b The covenant consisted of two parts:
i The fivefold curse on:
1 The serpent (Gen. 3:14,15; Isa. 65:25)
2 Satan (Gen. 3:15; Jn. 12:31; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 2:14-18)
3 The woman (Gen. 3:16; 1Cor. 11:3; 14:34; 1Tim. 2:11-15)
4 The man (Gen. 3:17-19; Ps. 90:9,10; Rom. 5:12-21)
5 The ground (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:18-23)
ii The promise in Gen. 3:15 which included redemption and the removal of the curse (Rom. 8:18-23; Rev. 22:3).
J Curse upon the serpent (Gen. 3:14).
a Notice 8 specific points in which the serpent was cursed.
i. You are cursed above all cattle (Gen. 3:14).
ii You are cursed above all beasts (Gen. 3:14).
iii Upon your belly you shall go all the days of your life (Gen. 3:14).
iv Dust you shall eat all the days of your life (Gen. 3:14; Isa. 65:25).
v I will put enmity between you and the woman (Gen. 3:15).
vi I will put enmity between your seed and her seed (Gen. 3:15)
vii The seed of the woman shall bruise your head (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:1-10).
viii You shall bruise His heel (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 1:18).
K Curse upon Satan (Gen. 3:15).
a In cursing the serpent, God also cursed the serpent, but made provision for the redemption of humanity, (Gen 3:15)
b Points i through vi are being fulfilled and have been fulfilled since the fall.
c Point vii was partially fulfilled when Satan was defeated at the cross (see Col. 2:14-17),
d The final fulfillment of point vii will be at Armageddon (Rev. 19:1; Rev. 20:3) and at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:7-11).
e Point viii was fulfilled completely when Christ was crucified.
i He was not crushed by being killed, because He conquered death and rose to life from death (see Jn. 10:18; Acts 2:23-36).
ii He was wounded as a heel is bruised, but Satan is to be completely defeated and his power destroyed as when a serpent’s head is crushed (Gen. 3:15; Col. 2:14-17; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:7-10).
L Curse upon the woman (Gen. 3:16).
a “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children”
i Being fulfilled - Having children was not the curse, this was commanded before the fall (Gen. 1:26-28);
ii Sorrow during childbirth was multiplied - sorrow was part of the curse (Gen. 3:16).
b “sorrow” Gen. 3:16; Ps. 127:2; Prov. 10:22 The words pain and travail are used many times in reference to childbirth see also Ps. 48:6; Isa. 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; 54:1; 66:7; Jer. 4:31; 6:24; 22:23; 30:6; 50:43; Rom. 8:22; 1Th. 5:3; Rev. 12:2).
c “desire” Hebrew: teshuwqah, longing (Gen. 4:7; Song 7:10), it is not your desire shall be to be in subjection to your husband, but your desire will be to rule alongside your husband; though the husband is the head of the household, the wife is still to be a part of the ruling decisions.
M Curse upon man and the earth (Gen. 3:17-19).
a Adam heard his wife’s conversation, listened to it, then did what she said. (Gen. 3:17)
b He did not follow God’s words, but his wife’s. (Gen. 3:17)
c He was cursed for following her words and actions.(Gen. 3:17)
d Ground was cursed at the same time he was. (Gen. 3:17)
e Thorns are part of the curse. (Gen. 3:18)
i Thorns are a sign of desolation (Prov. 24:31; Isa. 5:6; 7:24; 34:13).
ii They were used as awls (Job 41:2), fuel (Ps. 58:9; 118:12; Eccl. 7:6), fences (Hos. 2:6; Mic. 7:4), and to make the crown of Christ (Mt. 27:29; Mk. 15:17; Jn. 19:2,5).
iii They symbolize evils in the heart choking the Word (Mt. 13:7,22), and human suffering (Num. 33:55; 2Cor. 12:7).
f Thistles are a part of the curse. (Gen. 3:18)
i Thistles are noxious plants representing all forms of poisonous weeds that were part of the curse (Job 31:40; Hos. 10:8).
ii This foretells the hard labor which man would endure under the conditions of the curse.
iii The very elements would now be adverse to him, making him suffer for his sin.
iv Hard labor would break him down physically, finally resulting in his death (Eccl. 3:20; 12:7; Ps. 103:14; 1Cor. 15:21-28).
v Deserts, barrenness, weeds, poisons, germs and every other form of curse were to add to man’s punishment until he would finally return to the cursed ground himself.
vi The planets were affected so that weather conditions would also become a problem (Isa. 30:26; 35:1-8; Rev. 7:16).
vii Until the final restoration of all things, nearly all of man’s existence is one of constant hardships, sufferings, and trials (Gen. 31:42; 35:16; Ps. 90:10; 107:12; Eccl. 1:8; 2:18; 4:8; Mt. 11:28; Jas. 5:4).
viii In the New Earth there will be no more curse, everything will be as it was before (Acts 3:21; Rev. 22:3).
ix Christ’s purpose in the millennial reign will be to rid the earth of all rebellion and curse so that man can carry out his original assignment (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 20-22).
N Faith of Adam; where Cain got his wife (Gen. 3:20; 5:4; 6:1).
a Adam’s faith said he and his wife would live long enough to see their offspring, and that Eve would be the mother of all living. (Gen. 3:20)
b When God made coats from animals God taught Adam to offer as sacrifices in looking forward to the promised Redeemer (Gen. 3:21; compare Gen. 4:1-7; Heb. 9:22).
c ”..the man is become as one of us..” This emphasizes the fact that there is more than one distinct person in the Godhead. (Gen. 3:22).
i Man is become “as one of us” in knowing good meaning “to be good,” and have prosperity,” and evil meaning ”bad, calamity, wretchedness as a result of sin”. (Gen. 3:22).
ii Implies Adam and Eve now knew the difference between the good and evil, but can’t choose which one to follow without God’s help, and they have to choose to look for His help first. (Gen. 3:22).
O Divine provision: first shedding of blood pointing to the Redeemer (Gen. 3:21; 4:3; Heb. 9:22).
a Fourteen things we receive from the blood shed for our atonement
1. Atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:11; Rom. 3:24; 5:11; Col. 1:20)
2. Remission of sins (Mt. 26:28; Rom. 3:24-25; Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7)
3. Life and peace (Rom. 5; Col. 1:20)
4. Redemption (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:12-15; 1Pet. 1:18-23; Rev. 5:9)
5. Justification (Rom. 5:9; Gal. 3:6-14; Acts 13:38-39)
6. Brought close (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 10:19)
7. Pure conscience (Heb. 9:14)
8. Cleansing from sin (1Jn. 1:7)
9. Sanctification (Heb. 10:10-14; 13:20)
10. New covenant (Mt. 26:28; Heb. 10:29; 12:24; 13:20)
11. New birth (1Pet. 1:18-23)
12. Overcoming power (Rev. 12:11)
13. Church membership (Acts 20:28)
14. Salvation (Ps. 51; Heb. 9:15)
b Coats of skins: Type of "Christ, made unto us righteousness"-- a divinely provided garment that the first sinners might be made fit for God's presence. (Gen 3:22)
P Final sentence: end of the first dispensation-Innocence (Gen. 3:22-24).
a The dispensation of Conscience begins (Gen. 3:22)
i Name. So-called because man was tested to see if he would obey his own conscience regarding right and wrong (Gen. 6:1-7; Rom. 2:12-16).
1 There were no written laws (The Code of Hammurabi and other laws would not be written for over a thousand years).
2 The Ten Commandments weren't given to Adam in the previous dispensation (see note on Gen. 26:5).
3 His only law was not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; after being driven out of the garden he didn't even have that law (Rom. 5:12-14).
ii Length -- 1,656 years, from Adam's fall to the 600th year of Noah (Gen. 5:1-29; 7:6,11).
iii Favorable beginning -- a new beginning altogether, with inhabitants having a knowledge of God and a new covenant with Him (Gen. 3:14 -- Gen. 4:26).
iv Test -- obedience to the dictates of conscience as to right and wrong (Gen. 3:22; 4:7,15; 6:1-7).
v The purposes of God in the Dispensation of Conscience.
1 Since Adam and Eve knew good and evil, was to offer guidance in the proper exercise of their conscience to do the right and refuse the wrong.
2 To teach fallen man that only by obedience to God could he be restored to his original dominion and get rid of the curse.
3 To test them and show what would result from living with the freedom of conscience without restraint or compulsion.
4 To show they would not voluntarily choose right from wrong and serve God instead of Satan.
vi. The means of God in accomplishing His purpose. Conscience, freedom of will, and the devil's malice were the means that God used to bring man to a place of utter dependence upon Him for help and redemption from the curse.
vii The conscience would demonstrate how exceedingly sinful mankind would become if they chose evil instead of good;
1 The full freedom of action demonstrated how far man would go in his rebellion against God before it would be necessary for Him to interfere for the good of His own eternal plan.
2 The malice of satanic forces demonstrated the contrast between the two masters whom man might serve while on probation.
3 Freedom of will and conscience was what they chose in the fall and God permitted them to go to the full limit of wickedness that they might learn the folly of their own choice, and so that all coming generations might profit, if they chose to consider Adam and Eve's transgression.
vii Failure -- sixfold (Gen. 4:1 -- Gen. 8:7):
1 Failure of Adam (Gen. 6:3, notes)
2 Failure of Cain (Gen. 4:1-16, notes)
3 Failure of Cain's descendants (Gen. 4:17-24, notes)
4 Failure of Seth's descendants (Gen. 4:25 -- Gen. 5:32, notes)
5 Failure of the daughters of men who sinned with fallen angels seeking to do away with pure Adamite stock through whom the seed of the woman was to come (Gen. 6:1-7,11-13, notes)
6 Failure of all people in general (Gen. 4:1-26; 6:1-7; 7:1; Mt. 24:37-39; Lk. 17:26-27; 1Pet. 3:20;2Pet. 2:4-5).
viii. Judgment for sin -- the flood of Noah (Gen. 6:8 -- Gen. 8:14; Mt. 24:37-39; 1Pet. 3:18-21).
ix. God's provision of redemption -- His grace and mercy in giving man another chance to continue in God's eternal plan (Gen. 6:8-22; 7:1; 1Pet. 3:18-21), and preserving clean animals for sacrifice so as to have faith in the coming Redeemer (Gen. 7:2; 8:20-22). People in those days were saved by grace through faith in the coming Redeemer, as we are now saved by grace through faith in the Redeemer who has already come (Gen. 6:8; Heb. 11; Eph. 2:8-9).
Q Adam and Eve driven out of the garden. (Gen 3:23-24).
R The garden now protected to keep Adam and Eve from returning to the tree of life.(Gen 3:23-24).
a If they would have eaten from the tree in their fallen condition, they would have been enabled to live forever.(Gen 3:23-24).
b However, their bodies would have still been subject to sickness and the feebleness that comes from growing older.(Gen 3:23-24).
c This is the reason God did not finish his sentence in verse 22. (Gen 3:22-24).
d At least 2 Cherubims were placed at the entrance with a flaming sword to protect the road to the tree.
e Cherubim are mentioned in several passages, Ezekiel saw them as the heavens were opened, and he saw visions of God and of Cherubims.
f They move with the speed of lightning, obviously these are not the cute baby-faced creatures that artist's have painted. (Ezek. 1:5-28; 8:1-4; 10:1-22).
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