GREAT STORIES OF THE BIBLE: PART 2 - ADAM AND EVE Genesis 2: 21-25
"So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said:
This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called 'woman,' for she was taken from man.
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame." (Genesis 3: 21-25)
The story of Adam and Eve often finds its way into humor, like when Adam joked with Eve, "Quit ribbing me." Or the lighthearted take on the Bible and baseball: "Eve stole first, Adam stole second, and God threw them out at home." But beyond the humor, this story lays a foundation for understanding God's intentions for humanity and creation.
Eden represents God's perfect plan, which will ultimately be fulfilled in Heaven. God's intent is clear: creation is for mankind, not the other way around. As Jesus explained in Mark 2:27-28, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
God desires that we know only good, that His will be perfectly done, especially in the relationship between man and woman. This foundation explains why certain actions, such as homosexuality, are considered contrary to God's design, as outlined in Romans 1:26-32.
GOD'S INTENT
God’s intent is that we live without shame, in harmony with His creation and each other. The essence of sin is disobedience, and understanding this is crucial for our spiritual journey.
DISOBEDIENCE BEGINS WITH DOUBT
Disobedience starts with doubting God. In Genesis 3:4, the serpent plants the seed of doubt in Eve's mind: "You surely will not die!" Doubt is the first step toward disobedience.
DISOBEDIENCE ELEVATES SELF
Disobedience leads to self-exaltation, as seen in Genesis 3:5: "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God." Disobedience is a rejection of God's authority in favor of our own.
DISOBEDIENCE IS CONTAGIOUS
Disobedience often drags others down with it. In Genesis 3:6, Eve not only eats the forbidden fruit but also gives it to Adam. Misery loves company.
DISOBEDIENCE EXPOSES US
Disobedience leaves us vulnerable and exposed before God, as illustrated in Genesis 3:7-8 when Adam and Eve realize their nakedness and hide from God. If disobedience is justifiable, why do we hide it?
DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CURSES
Disobedience curses everyone involved. The serpent is cursed with enmity (Genesis 3:15), the woman with pain (Genesis 3:16), and the man with hard labor (Genesis 3:17-19). These curses serve as reminders of the destructive power of disobedience.
SEPARATION FROM GOD
Disobedience ultimately leads to separation from God. In Genesis 3:23-24, Adam and Eve are expelled from Eden, symbolizing the separation sin creates between humanity and God. But there is hope—Jesus came to bridge that gap, as Luke 19:10 tells us: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Through Christ, we can overcome the curse and penalty of sin. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."
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