Genesis Part 007
In Genesis 3 we are first introduced to “the serpent” who is Satan the Devil as stated in Revelation 12:9. His deception on Eve in the Garden of Eden has impacted all of mankind.
Genesis 3 may be one of the most important passages in all of Scripture. Its importance for understanding our nature, our need and our condition cannot be underestimated. The chapter begins with the appearance of the serpent. In Genesis 3:1 we are first introduced to the “serpent.” The serpent was described as being more cunning than any other beast of the field. What an appropriate description of Satan. He is subtle, and cunning, and deceitful.
Revelation 12:9 clearly identifies this serpent as Satan,
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.”
It says he was “more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made” (Genesis 3:1).
The word “beast” in Hebrew is most often translated “live” or “life.” This is the same word used in Genesis 2:7,
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
This being was more cunning than anything living that God had created on the land. The Hebrew word for “cunning” is “Arum H6175” and means “subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly.” It’s used here to tell us that Satan specifically designs His deception in a subtle and crafty way that is not straightforward. We are used to living in a world where people try to deceive, scam and manipulate us. Eve had not been lied to or manipulated before. What a shock it would be to be deceived for the first time ever.
Here are several paragraphs from the UCG reading program:
“The chapter begins with the appearance of the serpent, whom Revelation 12:9 identifies as Satan. Satan’s interaction with Eve provides a very instructive lesson in how he entices us to sin. First, notice his question: 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?' (Genesis 3:1, New International Version). This is emphatically not what God had said. God had said, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die'(Genesis 2:16-17, NIV). God had placed only one restriction upon Adam and Eve. Nothing else was withheld from them. Satan’s question was designed to magnify the restriction beyond its true proportion, to distort Eve’s perception of right limits, and thereby to instill a sense of being personally wronged.
"She replied that only one tree was forbidden. But with doubt planted, her perception altered, her emotions stirred and an erroneous premise in mind, Satan then offered a very different explanation of the situation: 'The serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil"' (Genesis 3:4-5). Satan’s words were a mixture of truth, lie, and deception. The assertion that Eve would not die was true, and an outright lie. She did not die immediately upon eating, yet the consequence of eating was death. Satan’s statement that Eve would know good and evil was a deception, for the true nature of 'knowing' good and evil was not disclosed to Eve. Satan’s appealing assertion would ultimately have its intended effect upon Eve’s unenlightened mind."
Tomorrow we will dive deeper into Genesis 3 and the first sin.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
Please see the UCG Bible commentary for more information on Genesis 3.
