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March 14, 2017

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:

Genesis 3 (ESV)

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”… Continue Reading

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This Post Has 6 Comments
  1. As I read about all the good in God’s creation in the first two chapters of Genesis, indeed His “very good” creation, Genesis chapter 3 opens with some not-so-good news.

    “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” (Genesis 3:1)

    A few things stand out to me in this first verse. This is not only “a” serpent but “the serpent” who was created by God and was more crafty than any other beast of the field. More crafty. From this, it’s clear that other beasts of the field also had at least the capacity to be crafty.

    Where did this serpent come from?

    Revelation 12:9 says, “the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

    Verse 1 goes on to tell us that the serpent was “male” and was able to speak – not as God spoke creation into existence but to deceive. He said to Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Then in Genesis 3:4-5, the serpent not only contradicts God but calls Him a liar with deceitful motives, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

    Sounds like the serpent had first-hand knowledge of Good and evil.

    This reminds me of the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 when Satan used Scripture in a “crafty” way to attempt to deceive Jesus as He was led up by the Spirit fasting for forty days and nights. This was after Jesus was baptized and “the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him” (Matthew 3:13-17). The outcome of that temptation was Jesus commanding Satan to “be gone” and “the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.”

    Much like the temptation of Jesus, Satan twists God’s words and motives to deceive people. He’s not alone. In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 Paul writes that even now “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

    Just look around. Genesis Chapter 3 is happening even now – not only in the world but more tragically, within the church.

  2. In reading through Genesis 3 my first thought is how the “serpent”, Satan, is still using the same tactic to great affect. It seems as though from an early age what we so often want is what we are told we can’t have. It’s not need based and we weaken which makes Jesus’ response to Satan’s tempting him with bread after a 40 day fast even more amazing. Satan’s description by Jesus as “a liar from the start” is also proven by his claim in 3:4, “surely you will not die”. Giving in to the devils temptation we see what i believe is mankind’s first selfish act. Followed by the first feelings of guilt and shame. which were soon followed by the first passing of blame. 3:12 “The woman you put here with me- she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” The first man wasn’t sure who to blame, God or Eve, so he went with both, a trend most men still practice. And then of course there is the curse which resulted. Two things strike me most about this, first that work itself wasn’t cursed but humankind by and large likes to complain about work, (actually a blessing), and second, our rebellion brought forth thorns- God knowing that His Son would one day wear a crown of thorns when he became a curse for us. Finally, God made garments of skin for the man and woman, the apparent first sacrifice of blood due to our iniquities. Amazing how one chapter in Genesis can so blatantly point out our need for a Savior!

  3. I like that they knew the sound of God’ steps in the garden- picture of intimacy. I am grateful for God protecting the tree of life with a cherubim and a flaming sword in all directions – so we wouldn’t be stuck in sin for eternal life and so that Jesus could provide the only way to be restored to God,

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