Recap of Gen 3 Fall of Man Part 2
I have also included the answer to the question about how the Serpent knew...
1- Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?”
The nature of the serpent seems innocent in itself, perhaps even admirable (subtle/wise/shrewd); but it was used by Satan to deceive Eve. The conversation started by the serpent seems to begin rather casually, as if it was no big deal. Perhaps Eve had dwelt in Paradise long enough to have grown comfortable with the habits of the animals around her.
Q: Is there a point to this exchange so far between her and the serpent?
There are three. The first point is that we are witnessing the first temptation. So this part of our exegesis is the anatomy of the big one, the first one. We have to starting asking questions right at the beginning because we need to understand how temptation happens, step by step. Not all temptations are the exact same, but they are all related and in the same happy family.
The second point is that of the narrative is not whether it was a real serpent or Satan under a serpent-like form, or whether it spoke with a real voice, etc., but that the temptation was coming to her from the outside, not the inside. We often think of temptation originating inside of us, but that’s not actually the norm. What we are exposed to, or what we let ourselves be exposed to, is the primary source of all temptation. If you can be on the alert for this, you stand your best chance of disengaging at this early stage. The longer you remain in the arena of temptation, the worse your chances are of getting out undamaged.
The third point of the narrative is how it begins nonchalantly, unsuspectingly; meaning that most often temptation does not come from a frontal assault. Satan doesn’t introduce himself to you before he takes you down. He is called “subtle” for a darn good reason. How often have you heard (or said yourself), “Oh my, how did I get into this situation?” Temptation is crafty, subtle, scheming, unsuspecting, and acts like your best friend – until it’s too late.
We know that the Fall of Man is referred to many times in scripture as “Adam’s Sin.” But we don’t see Adam until he joins Eve right at the falling point. The reason it is called “Adam’s Sin” is because God’s order to not eat from this tree was given to Adam, and he was charged with taking care/protecting the Garden. We don’t know for sure, but given the information we have, we could assume that Eve heard if from Adam. If this is the case, then the fourth point is that temptation doesn’t necessarily come directly from Satan, or from the object of temptation. It comes through someone else – even a trusted person, like Eve. Now we see that temptation is a lot like the “subtle serpent,” finding its way to us by various, circuitous, and unsuspecting routes.
Q: What about the serpent’s comment? Did God really say, “You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden?”
Do you see any problems here?
Notice the tone of surprise in the serpent’s words, as if the he could not believe that God would give such a command. Can it really be true, he asks, that God has subjected you to such a prohibition?
Isn’t that the 6th-day way? To mock believers, or make fun of “good” people? I wonder where we got this idea?
Moreover, Satan is already lying, though Eve seems unaware. Satan knows darn well God did not say “any of the trees.” It just more subtle strategy to get Eve engaged. Once he lets Eve correct him, Eve will be feeling more confident in continuing this engagement. Have you ever been in a similar situation when suddenly you are the one who knows more than those around you? It’s the best distraction yet to keep your eye off what’s really happening.
Q: How did Satan know about restriction on the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil?
We know three things already just from reading the first verse: 1) Satan was already in Eden, 2) Satan already knew enough to ask Eve about the restriction, and 3) we know that Satan is already lying. The reason we know he was lying is because since he was already in the Garden, he would have observed Adam & Eve eating from the other trees with no problem. Which means he already knew that his question, “Did God say you couldn’t eat from any of the trees in the Garden” was untrue and misleading.
Q: Who remembers Jesus said about Satan?
“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Jn 8:41)
“Father of lies” means he is the first liar and, in fact, this was probably the first lie. Second, he is the best liar and has certainly been at it longer than humans. He is the exemplar, the archetype for human lies. Just as Jesus is the archetype of the perfect human, we now have our archetype of the fallen human. Jesus’ antitype!
Q: What is especially dangerous and insidious about lying?
Have you ever tried lying just once? It’s a trap. It’s a gift (to Satan) that keeps on giving. The smallest lies can trap you into a chain of more lies that is hard to stop. Sometimes you pray that you don’t get asked any more questions. And when you get caught, what happens? The worst – shame! Satan is just loving every minute of it.
2-3 The woman answered the serpent: “We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Q: Do you see anything strange in Eve’s response?
Eve has suddenly added to God’s restriction, for He never said anything about not touching it. This seems to be a sign of her beginning to play with the truth. Was this a slip that was somehow related to her not being happy about this restriction? Whatever Eve’s reason might have been, altering the facts is usually the beginning of end (in the temptation journey).
So the serpent's opening volley is to feign mocking surprise. And now the woman has faltered in her response.
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