It All Falls Apart- Genesis 3

After God created humanity then it all fell apart in Genesis 3. In this story (commonly called “the fall” and used in discussions with “original sin”) Adam and Eve find themselves in the garden. They are told to not eat from the Tree of All Knowledge (Good and Evil) in chapter 2. That chapter ends with them being declared naked and innocent. In chapter 3 the serpent shows up. In early commentaries of the text Jewish writers saw the serpent as a serpent and later Christians would see this as Satan (see Revelation as the ‘ancient serpent’). The serpent is ‘crafty’ (a Hebrew word also similar to the one used for naked in chapter 2 showing a Hebrew word play). The serpent tells half truths to deceive Eve and she and Adam buy into it and break God’s rule. They commit their sin and they ‘fall’ from grace. In this story they try and hide their guilt but of course God knows what has happened, confronts them, and they face the music. The four relationships found in chapters 1-2 (nature, animal, one another, and God) are now broken. I do not believe destroyed but damaged. Yet we find hope! God provides for the couple by giving them clothing of fur (instead of the silly fig leaves) and even though they must leave the garden God loves them and longs to restore them. There is a hint to many Christians that the seed of the women will crush the seed of the serpent (Jesus/God vs Satan/evil). Some do not interpret it this way but many have historically.

What a story! The word that defines this story is REBELLION. Chapter 1 and 2 shows us RELATIONSHIP and RESPONSIBILITY. When we do not live up to our responsibilities we hurt/damage/destroy our relationships. That’s what happens in 3 when they REBEL.

In theological discussions this centers around ‘the fall’ and original sin. Are we all guilty? Are we born guilty? Theologians in the west theologians center on the fact that sin passes through generations and we are ‘born sinners.’ In the east the focus was that we live with the results of sin and the world is impacted by this first sin but we aren’t responsible for it literally but we are fallen and sinners because now we live in the results (this is a poor attempt at summing up the differences but you get the drift- much opinion exists on how sin works). The truth is the world is a ‘fallen place.’ And the truth is that universal sin is a more pressing issue. We universally sin. Sin is destructive and damages all of our relationships.

A word on male/female divisions found in Genesis 3. It is clear that part of this broken world is that all human relationships are flawed. Eve and Adam are divided and long to control one another. This is not God’s wish for any of us but a natural result of sin. People divide, fight, and fuss. Christians throughout history have blamed Eve for sin and said women are weak and more prone to sin. This is ridiculous and simply not true.

So what does this stay for us today? Sin is destructive. Rebellion is what sin is. Sin is selfish desire. It is my way not God’s. It is having one’s way no matter the costs. That’s rebellion. Rebellion is knowing there are limits (limits exist to help us have a better life and not a worse) but defying those and giving in to selfish temptations.

As we continue this weekly discussion we will see sin having an impact in the stories to follow. As we study Cain/Abel, Noah’s ark, and the Tower of Babel we will see examples/results of rebellion.

The church needs to do better. We live in a fractured and damaged world. We need to embrace the way of Christ and work to begin defying the world order and going against the sinful nature of our lives. Rebellion costs. Let’s embrace the way of the cross. Let’s deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Christ!  If I get a chance I’ll comment more on this chapter this week.  I’m currently preparing my sermon for this Sunday on Cain and Abel but there is much still we could say about this particular chapter.  Hopefully I’ll get a chance.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Peace,

Derik