The Temptation and the Fall
Open Your Bible
Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 16:20
BY Guest Writer
We have a painting in our home, one depicting a distraught Eve being comforted by a pregnant Mary, who is wiping away Eve’s tears. Her eyes focused on Mary’s belly, she reaches out to touch it, even as her own heel is trampling the serpent’s head (Romans 16:20). It’s an achingly beautiful, succinct depiction of what we lost in Eden, and of God’s never-ceasing pursuit to return us to right relationship with Him.
God’s pursuit of relationship with us is there from the start, in the beginning of His Word. From Genesis 1 and 2, we discover how God formed the earth and everything in it, including man and woman, who He made in His image (Genesis 1:27). He gives Adam and Eve the radical opportunity to rule over the world with Him, cultivating its growth. And out of His relational love for them, He gives them a choice about how they will live and work in this world: will they choose to follow God’s way and His wisdom and instruction for life, or will they choose a different kind of wisdom, one that relies on self-sufficiency and autonomy, apart from Him?
God has already provided Adam and Eve with everything they need to carry out this task, instructing them on what is good for them and what is not (“the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” [vv.16–17]). Prior to the serpent’s persuasive lie (3:4–5), enticing them to their own brand of knowledge, humanity dwelled in perfect harmony with God and one another. But after choosing to eat from the forbidden tree, “the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked” (3:7). From this point forward, discontent and shame would be a part of the human condition, disobedience would drive a wedge between creation and Creator.
When God asked Adam and Eve where they were that day in Eden (3:9), He already knew, of course. It makes me think the question was certainly more for their sake than His—it had to be. He asks where we are, too, all the while knowing all the dark places we run to, the many ways we attempt to hide our hearts from Him. But He pursues us all the same, fully aware that while He will ultimately defeat the serpent, that same enemy still actively seeks to destroy us (John 10:10), to lure us away from the God who adores us.
I looked at that painting again today. We’ve had it for maybe a decade, but to this day, if I look at it too long, it never fails to wake me to the indifference of my own sin, to the lie of self-sufficiency—it wrecks me.
Honestly, that’s where I’m at today. What about you?
If God were to ask, “Where are you?”, what would you tell Him? Do you believe it’s safe to come out of hiding? Do you trust that our Creator knows what’s best for His own creation? The God of Genesis 1 and 2, is the same God here in chapter 3; He does not change (Hebrews 13:8). He is still in the business of covering our shame with His own righteousness—even when we disobey Him (Genesis 3:21; Romans 5:8,19). Wherever you are, He waits for you.
Kara Gause is a content editor for She Reads Truth, happily residing with her family in Nashville, Tennessee.
111 thoughts on "The Temptation and the Fall"
-
“Wherever you are, He waits for you.” ❤️
-
I do often rely on my own self-sufficiency rather than trusting Him. A God, help me trust in You.
-
Since my younger sister’s death of cancer in September, I’m not sure where I am. I am certainly attempting to hide from my own feelings of grief and despair on a daily basis. It’s much easier to distract myself with insignificant things, like cleaning or cooking or television. I live quite far away from my parents and other family members, so I don’t have to deal with being around them. It’s not to say that I don’t let my feelings out- I do, but probably not as much as I should. I mostly just exist now, instead of living, if that makes sense. I go through the motions.
-
Ashley, praying Gods comfort and grace over you ❤️
-
Also praying for Gods comfort and grace for you.
-
ashley – just remember there is no time in heaven. Your sister will arrive in heaven and turn around to reach for your hand…. and you will grab it. This time on earth is super fast (thank God) and know she is no longer suffering – not just from cancer but from pain of this world! Depression, sadness, fear, shame, anger, illness- she is free from all of this in her PERFECT body. Take comfort and peace in these truths.
-
Ashley, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Just know that God LONGS comfort you. His desire from the beginning of time was to be in relationship with each of us. Step into His grace and His peace as you work through your grief. He will be your Shalom.
-
-
I love how this resonates with me so well, the Lord knows where we are. He is with us every step. He sees us sin, but yet we are ashamed, overfilled with guilt. Personally, I know what its like to be there, I’m here now. But reading this I am reminded. God is waiting for us, hes calling out to us. He loves us no matter what. I love the last sentence, “Wherever you are, he waits for you”… As im sitting here with guilt and shame, our redeemer and savior is waiting for me to come to him. What a good reminder. Thanks for this!
-
I love that last sentence too! “Jesus, as you wait for us create in us the desire to turn back to you!”
-
-
Deborah Stein could I get some more info on the book you recommended please? I looked it up at Amazon & Barnes & Noble but could find no listing by title or author. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
-
I found it! It’s the sweet lie by sue Redman
-
-
Wow. It amazes me every time I read it. Immediately after Adam and Eve disobeyed God, He still cared for them and clothed them so they wouldn’t have to live in constant shame of themselves. We disobey Him constantly, but He loves us so much that He continues to seek us out. Blows my mind, but I’m so thankful.
-
God is so gracious covering our sin when he knows we’ll fail time and time again. Knowing that the end result is for Jesus to die for us. The ultimate sacrifice to reign over past sacrifices and all so we could have a genuine heart filled – willing relationship with him. Beautiful.
-
❤️
Post Comments (111)