Before John 3:16, there was Genesis 3:15. The Protoevangelium.
Just looking over Genesis chapter 3 one can see some very interesting points. I may be looking too far into what is in the text, but I would like to make some commentary on what I have read. First, let’s look at the order of chapter 3:
- Verses 1-7 – shows the temptation of Eve and Adam following her into sin.
- Verses 8-13 – tells us of God’s “discovery” of the sin after he finds Adam and Eve hiding from Him.
- Verse 14 – God curses the serpent (that is, Satan).
- Verse 15 – God announces victory over Satan through Eve’s offspring.
- Verse 16 – God announces the curse the woman must bear due to her sin.
- Verse 17-19 – God curses man and the entire earth because of Adam’s sin.
- Verses 20-24 – God sends man out of the Garden to work the ground.
Some interesting points, Adam sinned first. We tend to say “Eve bit the fruit first, so she sinned first.” This is not true, Adam sinned by standing around idly while his wife was lead into temptation. This section of Scripture should really make us think a little more about our sins and our responsibilities.
What is more interesting to me is the order of the curses. Like I stated above, but I may be looking too deep into things.
God curses Satan (the serpent) first.
Despite the blame fest (Gen 3:12-13), God chooses to pronounce His curse first to the tempter. If we are to look into the order, this shows God understands we are tempted into sin. Before we get too happy, remember, we also share in the curse because we share in the responsibility for sin (this may help with an explanation of Calvinist free will). Before God tells us the effects of the curse on humanity, He announces a savior (Gen 3:15). I believe this shows us God had a plan to redeem us from the beginning.
Your Thoughts?
-Don-
Written by Don
Topics: Misc.