260. GEN 3:6. THE FALL
Gen_3:6. The Fall
"She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her, and he did eat."’97Gen_3:6.
It is not to be supposed that a good and perfect Being would be the maker of unholy and wicked creatures. That this is the true character of human nature, universal experience and observation attest. From whence, then, has man derived the evils of his nature? This revelation alone can answer. The text refers to human apostacy; it leads us to the fountain-head of man’s depravity. God had created man upright, but. he had given to him a law; that law he violated, and thus sin entered into our world, with all our wo.
Let us notice, The Test of Obedience which God instituted.
The Manner of its Violation.
The moral Evil it involved.
And, The calamitous Results it produced.
Notice, then,
I. The Test of Obedience which God instituted.
This was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fruit of this tree was prohibited on penalty of death. Many have cavilled at the test; this is much easier than to provide one more suited for the original state of our first parents.
This test was,
1. Just and reasonable.
The appointment of divine wisdom and goodness. God had a right to legislate, and it was for man’s welfare and happiness to obey. It was,
2. Simple and plain.
Nothing dark or ambiguous; nothing deep and profound. They could not mistake it. Error impossible.
3 It was practicable and easy.
They had no need of this fruit. Then happiness perfect without it. God gave them all the rest; he only reserved this one as the test of allegiance. They had perfect ability, and every reason to be obedient.
Consider,
II. The Manner of its Violation.
1. The serpent tempted.
That is, Satan used the organs of the serpent, and thus deceived our first parents In this he displayed great subtlety, especially in tempting Eve when alone; in doing it by insinuation, and then by direct falsehood. He also displayed great wickedness and daring; contradicts God’s testimony, and assures her she shall not die. Reflects upon God for appointing the test &c. Gen_3:1-6.
2. The woman transgressed.
The gradations in her fall were these: she was found near the tree; she gazed upon its fruit; she listened to the tempter she desired; she took, and ate
And, then,
3. She gave also to Adam, and he did eat.
It appears that Adam hesitated not, but at once became a joint participator of her guilt. In reference to the crime of both of them, it is clear that they sinned freely. They were only tempted, not compelled. It is probable that they sinned immediately. Supposed by many, that they fell the first day. "Man being in honor, abideth not." Psa_49:12. Notice,
III. The moral Evil it involved.
In the first sin there was a display,
1. Of great credulity, yet great unbelief.
They credited Satan, and disbelieved God. Had they kept God’s word, apostacy would have been avoided. Unbelief the first sin.
It was a display,
2. Of great discontent.
Never were creatures more abundantly supplied. The earth, with all its fulness, was their possession; Eden, with its treasures, their habitation. Yet they were not content, &c.
It displayed,
3. Great pride.
They possessed the highest place or earth. Dignity above that of all the creatures. Yet they would be "as gods," &c.
4. Great disobedience and presumption It was an act of open transgression; of direct daring and presumption. They ran the risk of the fearful threatening being executed. It also evinced,
5. Great ingratitude.
What a return for the honors and favors God had conferred upon them. Rebellion against the Father of their being. Treason against their rightful, gracious King.
Consider,
IV. The calamitous Results it produced.
1. Overwhelming fear and shame.
Before all was peaceful and serene. Now fear seized them as an armed man. All perturbation and tremor. Endeavored to flee from the face of God. Covered with shame, ver. 7, &c.
2. Open exposure and conviction.
Their guilt is manifest; their own lips declare it. Self-convicted, &c. Gen_3:9-13.
3. The divine displeasure and punishment.
(1) On the serpent. See ver. 15.
(2) On the woman; subjection and sorrow in child-bearing, ver. 16.
(3) On Adam. Ground cursed; toil, &c. Gen_17:18, Gen_17:19. On both death, though not immediately executed. They were expelled from Eden, and became the victims of sorrow, distress, disease, and mortality. Yet God in the midst of wrath remembered mercy. He pitied them in their low estate, and provided a Saviour "or them. See ver. 15.
Application
1. Learn the origin of human sin.
2. Its disastrous effects.
3. Our natural connection with it.
And, 4. The only way of deliverance from it. By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was manifested in the flesh, to destroy the work of the devil. See Rom_5:12-17.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS