InstaStudy

The Genesis of Sin and Redemption's Promise

A study of Genesis chapter 3, exploring the origins of sin, its devastating impact, and the initial revelation of God's plan for humanity's restoration.

1. The Setting and the Deception

1.1 The Serpent's Craftiness

Verses: Genesis 3:1
  • The adversary's subtle approach to question God's word.
  • His cunning nature designed to mislead and corrupt.
  • The initial target of deception: God's clear command.

1.2 Eve's Alteration of God's Word

Verses: Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:2-3
  • God's original command was precise and absolute.
  • Eve added to and subtracted from God's instruction.
  • This slight deviation opened the door for doubt and disobedience.

1.3 The Serpent's Direct Lie

Verses: Genesis 3:4-5
  • The adversary directly contradicted God's warning about death.
  • He sowed seeds of distrust, implying God was withholding good.
  • The temptation to 'be like God' by gaining forbidden knowledge.

2. The Fall and its Immediate Consequences

2.1 The Act of Disobedience

Verses: Genesis 3:6
  • The desire for forbidden fruit, fueled by lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.
  • Eve's decision to partake and her influence on Adam.
  • Adam's conscious choice to disobey, knowing the command.

2.2 Immediate Spiritual Awareness

Verses: Genesis 3:7
  • Their eyes were opened, but not to the promised 'god-like' wisdom.
  • The immediate consequence was shame and guilt.
  • Their attempt to cover their nakedness, symbolizing self-righteousness.

2.3 Hiding from God's Presence

Verses: Genesis 3:8
  • The natural human response to sin: fear and avoidance of God.
  • God's consistent presence in the garden.
  • The broken fellowship between humanity and its Creator.

3. God's Judgment and Promise

3.1 God's Call and Adam's Confession

Verses: Genesis 3:9-10
  • God's initiative to seek out fallen humanity.
  • Adam's admission of fear and hiding due to nakedness.
  • The beginning of accountability for sin.

3.2 The Blame Game

Verses: Genesis 3:11-13
  • Adam blamed Eve and, implicitly, God for giving him Eve.
  • Eve blamed the serpent for deceiving her.
  • The human tendency to deflect responsibility for sin.

3.3 Judgment on the Serpent

Verses: Genesis 3:14-15
  • The curse pronounced upon the adversary, marking his degradation.
  • The prophecy of enmity between the serpent and the woman.
  • The first promise of redemption: the seed of the woman crushing the serpent's head, referring to the one God manifesting in flesh to overcome sin and death.

3.4 Judgment on the Woman

Verses: Genesis 3:16
  • Increased pain in childbirth as a consequence of sin.
  • The dynamic of desire and rule within the marital relationship.
  • The impact of the fall on human relationships.

3.5 Judgment on the Man and the Earth

Verses: Genesis 3:17-19
  • The ground cursed because of Adam's disobedience.
  • Life becoming toilsome, requiring hard labor for sustenance.
  • The ultimate consequence: return to dust, emphasizing mortality.

4. Expulsion and Continued Grace

4.1 The Garments of Skin

Verses: Genesis 3:21
  • God's provision of covering, replacing their inadequate fig leaves.
  • The first instance of innocent blood shed to cover sin.
  • A foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice for atonement.

4.2 Expulsion from Eden

Verses: Genesis 3:22-24
  • Preventing humanity from accessing the Tree of Life in their fallen state.
  • The cherubim and flaming sword guarding the way.
  • The physical separation from paradise due to sin.

4.3 The Enduring Hope

Verses: Genesis 3:15; John 1:1-3; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9
  • Despite judgment, God's promise of a deliverer remained.
  • The one God, who created all things, would manifest in flesh to redeem humanity.
  • This divine manifestation, the 'seed of the woman,' is the only hope for restoration and eternal life.