The Fall

Let's take a minute to revisit the scene in the Edenic garden. We have two people, one more experienced than the other, learning to live together and standing in awe of their surroundings' creator.

Adam and his wife are most unique when it comes to all the created life forms now living this beautiful scenario. It also stands to reason that our own lives teach us that the condition called bliss seldom lasts very long. So it was to happen that the innocence they knew could not last. Let us go forth in our quest to learn exactly how and why the fall came about.

Please note that what you can learn in this section is certainly open to debate and many, if not most, will deny its validity. In fact some of you may very well say I'm offering some sort of unfounded theology. But if we apply just a little God given common sense we may learn the answers to many of today's questions.

Keeping in mind that Adam was created earlier then his wife and was vastly more experienced, we can see several reasons for a personal conflict to arise. We must also keep in mind that a certain fallen Angel (Lucifer) is also involved here. In other words we could say that the woman would share in the same fate as did the angel who attempted to step out of his place in the heavenly kingdom; only to be cast out in time.

We all know that the battle of the sexes has been around for as long as we can remember. We also know, and will learn, exactly how came about. We will also learn if you will, how the world's oldest profession came into being. Once again, be reminded to consider what you're about to learn most carefully and perhaps taking a moment to pray for the guidance of The Holy Spirit.

The first thing to notice here is that the serpent does not approach Adam. Why? Well, if you had seen the awesome power of God at work, as Adam had done- do you honestly think he (Adam) could have been swayed by some mere argumentative challenge? And if Adam had been present, do you think he would have stood idly by when this confrontation took place? I highly doubt this, since Adam had been absolutely obedient to his creator, and knew the power God had at His disposal.

But Eve, being the weaker (in experience) vessel, was the perfect target. In making his approach this way, Satan could accomplish a triune test you see. That test came by seeing if Adam had taught his wife with accuracy or perhaps had embellished a bit upon the words of God, concerning the tree whose fruit was forbidden to them. He could also test Eve's love of God and her husband. And finally, he could test Eve's fortitude on a personal basis. Is this any different than the situations we live with on any given day?

In answering, Eve reveals something most significant. Verse three clearly shows how God's word has indeed, been added to. Was this the result of Adam's teaching his wife? Could it be that he thought he could better protect Eve (due to her lack of experience perhaps) by advising a "don't touch" addendum? Or did Eve, as is so typical of what people do, expand on what she had heard, as do our contemporaries?

Now see how she is responded to:

Now comes a dualistic situation. The serpent is calling God a liar isn't he? Why? He hates God and the fate that has befallen him. And he now begins to lay claim on new followers, by attacking an innocent woman, who is certainly no match for his evil and cunning. The battle lines for the battle of the ages, is drawn. Once again, we can see a triune event. It is spiritual, it is material (carnal) and it is to be eternal.

We must study this verse with extreme caution and consideration, if we are to glean all we can from it. More information is available than what a casual perusal will allow.

• Eve has fallen for the glitter. That is, she couldn't see beyond the shine of materialism's offer of fine food.
• She has also succumbed to the temptation of wanting to be equal to God, which caused Satan's downfall in the first place.
• She has become "enlightened" as to the knowledge of good and evil, and now has a power her husband lacks.
• She can now use the same sort of cunning that caused her to fall.
• Had Adam been there with her, he most assuredly would have protected her against doing the sinful thing, as obedience to God would have dictated.

And so, we come to answering the question of how Eve could have convinced her husband to eat of the fruit?

First of all, let's consider what Eve had that Satan didn't? The primary asset is that she is the only human woman! Who could for a moment doubt that Adam would not want to lose Eve, after having made such a poignant plea to God, that he needed his own kind of species? There are no others of their kind. But Eve must still overcome Adam's wisdom and experience with God, prior to her arrival on terra firma. And so, she uses the one weapon she has in her arsenal, to shot down any resistance Adam may have. Seeing her alive may have had a tremendous influence, but I doubt if that would have been enough. And, as we shall see in the following scriptures, the device she used, had to be her feminine wiles! Keep in mind that we are now going ahead to the rebuke texts. Adam and Eve have attempted to hide from, and then "cop out" when they are questioned concerning their clothing and aloofness. We are then, at the earth's first courtroom, and God is presiding.

Ge 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Justice once again falls upon Lucifer (Satan) for attempting to usurp God's power and authority. Note how the word "seed" is used here. The seed of woman is human, but the seed of the serpent is angelic. And so, we have the separation of human and spiritual beings included. That is, spiritual  forces of good and evil, and the separating of humans and any other spiritual beings. The Godly punishment is swift and fitting. And as we can see in verse 15, the first prophecy concerning Jesus, has also been introduced.

Having made this pronouncement, His attention is turned towards Eve, and we have the world's first "buck passing."

Of major importance here is the fact that Eve doesn't mention anything about Adam or his failure to protect her from the adversary. Her only comment is directed against the serpent. Considering her newly acquired knowledge, which includes the ability to lie, this is very significant.

Now we must address the old adage of the punishment fitting the crime! God is not a meanie, or unjust. But He does usually deal with us in a way that will make us remember what our sin is, and how we must not repeat it. So it is here with Eve. She used the only method at her disposal to weaken the man (Adam) into doing her bidding. How long it took, or how many headaches were involved, no one can say; but her punishment does illuminate her modus operandi. Even today, we see this sort of thing in operation.

Ge 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Adam has allowed himself to succumb to Eve's beckoning. It is reasonable to be assured that mere words were not the only thing involved; for the adversary could have used words to trip Adam too. No, something much more powerful had to be at work, and as you study both human nature, and the scriptures, the enlightenment can come.

You see, the bottom line is that the men and women of mankind, have a very special and responsible position in life.  They have a Godly responsibility to their peers (human) and their creator, that is awesome.  And, they had better get busy about doing what they should have been doing, ever since Eden.