Adam vs. Eve

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The conversation continues to the point where Eve saw “that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Gen. 3:6).  As she commences this sinful snack, it is revealed that Adam has been present the entire time.  If you read the first section of Genesis 3, every sign points to a conversation being held between the serpent and the woman.

There is no sign of the man anywhere.

You almost picture a seductive personality intruding in a home where the woman is left alone.  Surely this slick-talking, charming intruder wouldn’t dare entice a man’s wife to apostate from her God if her husband was home.  You get the feeling that the man of the house is gone, and someone has come to prey upon the unsuspecting wife in his absence.

Unfortunately, that is not the case.  Adam is there.  He is present the whole time.  Adam’s silence in this moment speaks more volumes than his recorded remarks ever will.

His passivity leads to the Fall of Mankind.

Eve has been the butt of jokes for years.  Careless, ignorant men claim “it’s the woman’s fault for the shape this world is in.”  Actually, if you look closely, it’s the man’s fault.  He was given the rules by God, and it was his responsibility to pass those rules on to his wife.

That fact does not mean that the man is better, smarter, or more talented.  It just means he was first.  Someone had to come first.  In God’s design, man became before the woman.  Therefore, he received the instructions from God first.  God gave man rules before he gave him a woman.  When his wife came along, it means that Adam was to communicate with Eve concerning the way things worked in this newfound world.  “Hey babe, so those animals over there, I’m supposed to name them, and we get to be in charge of them.  You can eat from anything you see except that one tree over there.  Did I leave anything out?  Oh yeah, and God said something about being fruitful and multiply.  Not exactly sure how that happens, but I’m sure we can figure it out.”

God gave Adam the rules.  Either God or Adam communicated those rules to Eve.  Satan made a B line to Eve to disrupt the existing utopia.  And Adam stood by there and said nothing.  What should have happened is that Adam encouraged his wife to stay faithful and they kicked the serpent out of their homestead.  Adam should have taken his bride by the hands and said, “Darling, I know that fruit looks appealing.  As soon as God told me I couldn’t eat it, it’s like something inside me made me crave all the more.  I have a hard time getting it out of my mind.  I walk by that tree and my mouth begins to water, but we have to remain faithful.  We have to stick together.  On days I’m weak, I need you to be strong.  Eve, hand me that fruit and let’s get rid of it and be done with that deceiver.”

That’s what should have happened, but that is unfortunately not the reality.  Passive Adam watches his wife indulge with the fruit.  Upon seeing that she did not die, he ventures out to disobey God as well believing he is now safe since his wife is still standing.  As soon as the delectable fruit makes contact with their lustful taste buds, an unforeseen aftertaste immediately cripples Adam and Eve.

Sin’s effect have taken hold.  The shame and blame game has begun.  Adam and Eve are taken captive by the guilt raging through them like a spreading wildfire.  In their desperate state, they try to cover up an internal problem with an external covering to no avail (Gen. 3:7).  Ashamed and confused, they hear a sound that strikes fear into the depth of their souls.  Before, when they heard the sound of Yahweh walking through the garden, they would run to greet him like children eager to embrace their father shouting “Daddy’s home!”  The corruption of sin has even robbed them of that joy when the sound that once brought them delight now brings terror instead (Gen. 3:10).

In their shame, they run and try to hide from the One who is impossible to avoid.  In their attempts to justify their actions, they begin to blame others.  Adam points his finger at Eve for her sinful enticement.  He then even points his finger at God at the audacity for giving him Eve (Gen. 3:12).  “You know, God, if I remember this correctly, I just took a nap in the garden.  I was minding my own business, and then, all of a sudden, I wake up with a pain in my side and a naked woman in front of me.  So, whose fault is this really, God?”

Playing along with this futile line of thinking, God then allows Eve to make her case.  Backed into a corner by her husband, she points her finger by saying, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen. 3:13).  She was the first person to ever say, “the Devil made me do it!”

Whose fault is it?  The devil’s?  Adam’s?  Eve’s?  God holds each person responsible for their own sin.  You will not be able to blame the devil or someone else for your own sinful tendencies.  We are each accountable to God.