THE FALL AND THE PROMISE OF REDEMPTION:
Genesis 3:1 “The serpent” – a literal animal as confirmed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3. This animal was given the ability to speak, and is described as “more subtle”, or ‘observant’. However, it was an animal and had no moral responsibility to God. It spoke only as a self-satisfying carnal mind dictated as referred to in 2 Peter 2:12,14,18. It was the verbalizing of this carnal and deceptive reasoning that was a lie since it was presented to a morally accountable person. (Thus the serpent becomes a Symbol of Sin)
V4 “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!” This is a lie! God had warned the man that he would die if he did eat of it! (This is similarly perpetuated today in the teaching of the ‘immortal soul’, IE the soul doesn’t die!). N.B. Because the serpent was not given the commandment, this is not a deliberate, malicious lie, for the serpent was not capable of this, but merely expressed its ignorance of God’s law and presented carnal or animal thinking.
V6 “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 desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate”. This is the process of temptation which can lead to sin! CP 1 John 2:16: “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life”, James 1:14, 15 “enticed by his own lust”; Also, refer to Mark 7:20,21 & Romans 7:14-21. All sin is due to having a desire and choosing to satisfy that desire, even when it is against the laws of God!
V7 Realization struck! They had disobeyed the command and KNEW IT. They felt naked and exposed because of their guilt! Now they knew ‘good AND evil’ and attempted to cover or hide their sin with an ineffectual covering of ‘fig leaves’. This would not satisfy God. Proverbs 28:13; Job 31:33. What is an acceptable covering for sin? We can compare this with the ineffectual religions of the world.
What is the significance of nakedness? It is associated with sin and the subsequent feeling of guilt. We then realize we need help, a way of covering or hiding our guilt. This becomes clear if we contrast Genesis 3:7 with Galatians 3:27 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”. This is necessary because it has been declared: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12