The Example of Adam and Eve

Faith Placing man in Eden, the Lord God assigned Adam the responsibility of cultivating and keeping the garden (Gen. 2:8-25, esp. vv. 8, 15). He was also assigned the task of naming the beasts & birds (vv. 19-20).

Faith By all recorded measures, Adam fulfilled these physical responsibilities. “cultivate” means “to work, serve” “keep” means “to keep, watch over, guard” There is no suggestion that Adam was a sluggard; rather, he appears to have been a hard worker, responsible and trustworthy: all admirable qualities (Prov. 6:6-11; 27:23-24)

Failure Yet, all was not perfect in paradise: danger lurked in the garden. Exploiting the unique and greatest blessings bestowed upon mankind (his reasoning ability and freedom of will), Satan serpent tempted the woman.

Failure Maligning the commandment and character of God, and appealing to her appetites, the serpent enticed Eve through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Gen. 3:1-7; cf. 1 John 2:15-17).

Failure Reflecting upon this account of the fall, we must ask, “What’s wrong with this picture?” Where was Adam? Why did he simply acquiesce? The fall represent a breakdown in the home. We observe role reversal: Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership; Eve did not manifest proper submission (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

Failure Like any opponent, Satan tries to neutralize our strengths and exploit our weaknesses. He looks for the weak link. Bypassing Adam and accosting Eve, the serpent successfully deceived the woman: “it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Tim. 2:9-15, esp. v. 14).

Follow-up After their sin was exposed, Adam and Eve both attempted to shift the blame: The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” However, both faced the dire consequences of their disobedience and rebellion (Gen. 3:8-24).

Future References The term, “polar opposite,” refers to that which is conspicuously different in most important respects (Webster). The lives of Adam and Jesus had opposite effects, one bringing death, one bringing life (Rom. 5:12-17).

Future References As Adam brought death into the world, Christ offers the promise of life (1 Cor. 15:20-22). While the first man, Adam, became a living soul, the last Adam became a life- giving spirit. The former was a recipient of life, natural, earthy; the latter a bestower of life, spiritual, heavenly (1 Cor. 15:42-49).

Conclusion Let us respect the pattern that God established for the home, involving headship and submission, and not reverse or repudiate these roles. Let us recognize our responsibility of obeying God’s commandments. Let us respond to Satan as Jesus did in the wilderness, resisting temptation by remembering Sacred Scripture.