Genesis 3

3 questions:  What can we see in the text?

3 questions:  What can we see in the text?  Why is this passage in the Bible?

3 questions:  What can we see in the text?  Why is this passage in the Bible?  What can we learn?

1 Some observations

Now the serpent was more crafty that any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said, “We may eat... but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden’... or you will die.’”

“You will certainly not die... for God knows... your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

What the serpent said did happen - became like God - opened eyes - ashamed

God speaks: vvs9-12to Adam v13to Eve vvs14,15to the serpent v16to Eve vvs17-19to Adam

When God speaks to Adam & Eve - he asks a question - he gets an excuse

When God speaks to the serpent he makes a judgement

When God again speaks to Eve and Adam he makes a judgement

PainSorrowFutilityGuilt Relationship difficulties Separation from God

2 Why is this passage in the Bible?

1 To explain the origin and presence of evil

... strike his heel

In relation to - individuals

In relation to - individuals - communities

In relation to - individuals - communities - the world

1 To explain the origin and presence of evil 2 To provide a learning opportunity

1 To explain the origin and presence of evil 2 To provide a learning opportunity 3 To remind that God punishes sin

3 What can we learn?

* To be alert Hegel said that “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history”

* To be alert * To seek help