One Sin Changed the World

     The consequence of the single sin of disobedience did in fact change the world.  While Eve was deceived into the sin, Adam consciously ate of the fruit which God had instructed him not to eat.

     When confronted with the sin of disobedience Eve offered the defense that the serpent had deceived her.  The original KJV uses the term ‘beguiled’.  In both cases the meaning is to be led astray, deluded, and/or seduced.  When the results are expressed as a noun synonyms include a lie or sham resulting in perjury.

     Paul in the New Testament revealed that the serpent’s methods of deceit in Genesis are alive and active in the present age.  He reminded the church at Corinth of false apostles.

     “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light (enlightenment).  2 Corinthians 11:13-14

     The initial sin of disobedience in the garden was/is the cause of the curse that pervades the present age.  The curse was to affect the serpent and his offspring, the woman, the man, their offspring, and their ability to fulfill God’s plan of stewardship over the earth without great difficulty.

     The serpent was cursed above all other beasts of the field.  He would henceforth crawl on his belly in the dust. 

     The most significant part of the curse, however, affected the one who presented himself to Eve as an angel of light, i.e. Satan himself.  Recall his description in the final book of the Bible:

     “…that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…”  Revelation 12:9

     The curse given to the devil introduced the response of the Creator to the devil’s actions.

     “And I (God) will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”  Genesis 3:15

     Notice the absolute sovereignty of God as He proclaims: “I will.”

     The Hebrew term for bruise means overwhelm or break.  ‘Head’ means foremost, supreme, or highest, while heel means basically a ‘protuberant’ or nonessential part.

     In other words, the Seed of the woman would one day at God’s precise timing totally destroy the enemy, the very one who deceived her.  Her offspring in the form of flesh and blood would destroy the most powerful enemy of God and man.

     The curse directed to the woman included pain in childbearing and conflict with her mate.  While she was originally made to be a partner to Adam, she would now be required to be submissive to his headship.  This newly defined role would cause tension between husband and wife as she would lose her heretofore independence.

     The curse directed to Adam included toil and effort in all his endeavors as well as death both physical and spiritual.

     “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive…”  1 Corinthians 15:21-22

     The term ‘die’ in the above is from the Greek apollumi meaning eternal death.  And Christ is the Seed of the woman first mentioned in Genesis 3:15.

     And so it was Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden.  They lost access to the tree of life which was intended to benefit all mankind.  Life resulting from sin was not to be man’s final destiny.

     It must be noted, however, that God provided more suitable clothing for Adam and Eve.

     “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them.”  Genesis 3:21

     Once again, the absolute sovereignty of God is revealed.  ‘He made’ and ‘He clothed’ them.

     The fact that He clothed them introduces the doctrine of the ‘Righteousness Garment’ which would be revealed at a later time.

     And most significantly the fact that God clothed Adam and Eve with the skins of animals before expelling them from the garden signifies that innocent blood had been shed to cover their sin of disobedience.

     God’s immutable plan of redemption had begun!

     God had pronounced the curse and only God could remove it.