written by Chris Barna, Dec 28,2010 

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Adam and Eve

 

I have recently decided to read the entire Bible cover to cover, spurred by a friend who recently accomplished this goal, despite being atheist. I took his doing so as a challenge.   As I have never actually read the Book in its entirety before,  I figure now is as good time as any to read the whole thing.   Not surprisingly the Book is dense with lessons for anyone willing to crack it open.

 

I am sure the story of "the fall" has had many commentators over the centuries.   I am also sure I am not the first to have the thoughts I am about to share with you,  but I have never heard this before, so share I will.

 

The surface story is well known, possibly the most well known story in the Bible.   God tells Adam and Eve to not eat the fruit, the serpent convinces Eve to eat the fruit. Eve convinces Adam to eat the fruit. God comes around, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent.  On the surface the story and lessons are simple: you disobey,  and you are punished.   Let's pick this apart a little more.

 

The serpent knows God told Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit.   Adam knows God told him not to eat the fruit.   Eve was reminded by the serpent that she was told not to eat the fruit (I would assume Adam told her, as she wasn't around when God told Adam).   So everyone knows that the fruit is not to be eaten.   Why didn't God just punish the serpent?   He was the instigator, he convinced Eve to eat the fruit when there was no reason to do so.

 

When God asked what happened Adam immediately blames God and Eve.  "You put her here and she made me do it!"

 

So God asks Eve, she of course blames the serpent, telling God she was deceived even though the serpent reminded her of God's words  "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (This whole episode reeks of analogy of the child/parent persuasion but that is an article for another time.)

 

God doesn't bother with the serpent's side of the story.   After this exchange he punishes each of them, taking the snake's legs, giving birth pain to women and manual farming to men then kicks them out of Eden.

 

Now to the point.   Every individual is responsible for their own actions and relationship with God.  God knew what the serpent did and he was punished.   He knew what Adam and Eve did, and they were treated accordingly.   They had the choice, and each chose to defy God.

 

This lesson can be clearly translated for use in modern life.   Some people choose to blame others for their actions/thoughts and will not take responsibility for what they do.   You may choose not to be accountable to your fellow humans, but as it is clearly illustrated in the story of the fall: you are responsible for your actions, and God will hold you accountable.

 

 

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Note:  You will see articles like this on a regular basis.  These articles are submitted by the congregation.  Hope you not only enjoy them but prayerfully consider what God is saying through them.