Let's move on to Day 4!
Begin With Pray: Lord I surrender my thoughts to you, speak to me clearly.
Day 3: Genesis 3, Sin!
Background: Moses uses the first seven verses of this chapter to give his readers a model for temptation. As you read notice the themes of life and death; who is giving the path for life and who is sowing the seeds of death. The justice of God demands consequences for sinful behavior. God’s character does not allow Him to just “forgive and forget” Adam’s sin and our sin demand death and wrath, which are the consequences set up by God in Genesis 2. There have been many ways to describe the change in the human condition and life as it was created because of the fall. I think the best description is that humanity now has it’s wires crossed. All the things that were created to bring us to God for life (spiritual and physical) are now also working to lead us away from God toward death. We know from Romans 1-5 that all of us are born into this condition and we are naturally drawn to the things that bring death, yet we long for life.
The Gospel: From the beginning God starts to reveal His plan for humanity’s restoration. God demands honesty in failing (confession) rather than exalting humans for trying to fix things themselves or make excuses. The motif of clothing is used as a metaphor for holiness and shame. After the fall the first thing Adam and Eve notice is that they are unfit to be before God because of their lack of clothing, which represent righteousness or perfection. In the end it is only God who is able to provide His creation with a way for them to be right in His sight again. The clothes made by Adam and Eve represent humankind’s constant will to be independent of God and fix things themselves.
Genesis 3:1-7, Temptation and Fall
Take a close look at the quotes by Satan and Eve and you will find that all of them twist God’s word. How well do you know the word of God? How could this effect the way that you are influenced as you make decisions?
Instead of Depending on and trusting God for life, Eve desired to be independent. How do you see this in your own life?
What are some of the modern things that Satan is using to draw your flesh to choose death rather than life? (or what am I primarily clinging to for life other than God?)
hat role do the senses play in Eve’s decision? How are we like that?
Reread the whole section and then ask what can you learn from her as you make decisions?
Genesis 3:8-13, God demands confession, not excuses
What effect does Adam and Eve’s choice have on their relationship to God?
To what does God appeal to get Adam to confess? What do we learn about humanity’s new condition from Adam’s response? How do you see this in yourself?
Genesis 3:14-20, The curses of the Fall
From this point on humanity is in a constant battle to discern good and evil. (15) It is a battle that will have many crippling blows delivered by Satan, sin and evil gainst humanity. List a couple of ways you see evil, sin and Satan working against humanity?
But, notice the offspring of the woman will eventually crush the serpent. (15b) Who do you think this might be referring to? (See Romans 16:20)
Freebie: God’s plans are twisted because of the fall. Instead of humanity enjoying every aspect of multiplying and filling the earth it is now made difficult, especially for the woman. (16a) It is also not surprising that the sex drive of men which was once pure is now twisted. We should not be shocked that we are driven sexually, for that is one of the two main reasons God created us. But we should not allow our senses to fool us into acting against God’s plan for sexuality. How do I see the curse’s effect on multiplying and filling the earth acted out in my own life?
The Woman's curse: Also notice how the relationship between the humans is now full of strife, power and insecurity. (16b) How do your relationships reflect this change?
The man's curse: The fall also changes how we exercise dominion over the earth. (17-19) Work is no longer done for the enjoyment of bringing God pleasure, but it is now difficult for humans to work the way they were created. Because of the curse it should not surprise us that work is something that will naturally bring tension between us and God. Often we will hate work because it has become something that is difficult. And since work is the other thing we were primarily wired to do by God, it should also not surprise us that the results of the fall can twist this desire and turn us into workaholics.
How has the fall effected how you work? Do you work for the glory of God?
Genesis 3:20-24, God shows mercy and provides for His creation
What things does God do that show his mercy and grace to humanity? Why does God cut them off from the tree of life? How do these things comfort you as you struggle with sin?
Another Freebie on Confession: Some things never change. God wants us like Adam to not hide from Him. When we blow it He calls us to bring it out in the open and let him restore and heal us, rather than try to fix it ourselves and move on while pretending nothing happened. Confessing sin doesn't mean that our identity is in how bad we are or the mistakes we make, but it is much more for us to remember who we are in Christ, that we are dearly loved and set a part by God to live out His righteousness. As we confess we are saying "I did not live out what you have made me to be, please remove the shame and guilt I feel and renew me and lead me to enjoy your love by walking in your ways from this point on."
Spend some time confessing the sin in your own life to God. Also spend time thanking him for his promise to Adam and Eve.
Challenge of the Day: Look for the effects of the fall around you!