📅 January 02: Genesis 3-4: The Fall and Its Aftermath - Understanding Sin and Redemption

Daily Bible Readings January
, , ,
1

Day2-Gen3-4
Day2-Gen3-41024×1024 119 KB

Join us as we delve into Genesis 3 and 4, pivotal chapters that explore the origins of sin and its profound impact on humanity. These chapters offer crucial insights into the nature of temptation, the consequences of disobedience, and the unfolding of God’s plan for redemption.

:snake: Genesis 3 - The Fall:

  • Genesis 3 narrates the temptation of Adam and Eve and their subsequent fall. This chapter marks a turning point in the biblical narrative, introducing sin into God’s perfect creation and altering the course of human history.

Key Verse:

‘And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”’ - Genesis 3:22

  • This verse highlights the gravity of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and the necessity of God’s intervention. Their newfound knowledge of good and evil brings about a loss of innocence and the introduction of mortality.

:ear_of_rice: Genesis 4 - Cain and Abel:

  • In Genesis 4, we encounter the story of Cain and Abel, representing the escalating nature of sin. Cain’s jealousy leads to the first act of murder, setting a precedent for human conflict and the devastating effects of sin on relationships.
  • The narrative also touches on themes of divine justice and mercy, as God responds to Cain’s actions while also offering protection and a chance for redemption.

Key Verse:

“But the LORD said to him, ‘Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.’ Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.” - Genesis 4:15

  • This verse captures the complex interplay of justice and mercy in God’s response to Cain’s sin. While God punishes Cain for his actions, He also provides protection, showing a balance between judgment and grace. This moment in the narrative underscores the themes of accountability and divine oversight in the face of human wrongdoing.

:bulb: Reflective Q&A:

  • :deciduous_tree: The Fall’s Teachings:
    • Question: What does the story of the Fall in Genesis 3 teach us about human nature and temptation?
    • Answer: It reveals our vulnerability to temptation and the far-reaching consequences of our choices, emphasizing the need for discernment and obedience to God.
  • :busts_in_silhouette: Cain and Abel’s Lessons:
    • Question: How does the story of Cain and Abel reflect the broader impact of sin in human relationships?
    • Answer: The story illustrates how unchecked emotions like envy and anger can lead to destructive actions, disrupting God’s intended harmony and necessitating personal responsibility and accountability.
  • :mag: Redemption Need:
    • Question: In what ways do these chapters show the need for redemption and God’s grace?
    • Answer: The narratives of the Fall and Cain and Abel highlight humanity’s inherent need for divine intervention and grace to reconcile and overcome the brokenness caused by sin.

:thinking: Reflective Thoughts:

  • Contemplate how the events in Genesis 3-4 resonate with your understanding of human nature and the need for God’s grace in your life.
  • Reflect on the lessons of personal responsibility, forgiveness, and seeking reconciliation with God, as presented in these narratives.

:speech_balloon: Let’s Discuss:

  • We invite you to share your insights or reflections on Genesis 3-4. How do these chapters influence your view of temptation, sin, and redemption? How do they shape your understanding of God’s plan for humanity?

:date: See You Tomorrow:

  • Continue exploring the depth of the scriptures with us. Check back tomorrow for our next insightful reading. Discover the full January reading plan here.

Join us on this enlightening journey through Genesis. Dive deeper each day, and let’s grow in faith and understanding together.

:love_letter: Stay Connected:

  • Stay engaged with our daily readings. Subscribe to the AIgniteScripture Newsletter for insights and reflections delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe here.

genesis #TheFall #SinAndRedemption #BibleReading #AIgniteScripture #DailyDevotional

2

The serpant had (and represents throughout scripture) a carnal mind, a mind of the flesh (not spiritual); it challenges Gods commandment in ch 2 v 17 ('of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof “dying thou shalt die” '). Eve told the serpant the Truth, but the serpant replied that she would not die, but would know good and evil, like the Elohim (- it might have overheard the Elohim talking, who knows), but the point is the serpant sowed the seed of doubt and at that point Eve lost confidence in the power of faith to restrain her; the Truth had no effect, did not restrain her natural/ flesh desires (she saw it was good for food LUST OF FLESH, pleasant to the eyes LUST IF THE EYE and wanted to be wise like the Elohim PRIDE OF LIFE)! Up until that point, the law of sin and death had not yet entered into her, she was ‘very good’ but now she lacked a deep and earnest conviction of what God had said and what he meant, she was easily confused.

This great lie “ye shall not surely die” is still believed today! Dust thou art (man was created from the dust of the ground) and to dust thou shalt return (v 19) - there is no heaven going and no ‘immortal soul’! The serpant power (aka sins flesh, carnal mind) is totally destroyed at the end of the kingdom age when the earth will be filled with immortal beings manifesting Gods glory in the earth - end of Revelations. Christ however is the ‘first fruit’ of these immortal beings taken from Adam’s race, the ‘second Adam’, the true ‘seed of the woman’ who overcame sins flesh and is now with the Deity waiting to return to set up his kingdom on earth. But I digress…

When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree, there was a change in their constitution; man became mortal and our bodies Subject to sin, disease and death. ‘Dying though shalt die’… dying is a process… in a sense, we are all born dying, we are all born with the same sins flesh and carnal minds inherited from Adam and Eve. Genesis ch3 contains the ‘Edenic covenant’, the ‘Christ-doctrine’ (see verses 14 onwards). Think seed of serpant = mortal man with carnal mind, subject to sin disease & death and opposed to following God’s commands; seed of woman = Christ. It’s a prophecy! In short:

Christ was to:

  1. Be born of Adam’s race (sins flesh)
  2. Be the seed of the woman AND the son of God (Deity)
  3. Be killed
  4. Rise from the dead
  5. Destroy the power that killed him.
    ‘The wages of sin is death’ but Christ did not commit sin and lived his entire life in obedience to God’s commands. The grave could not hold him and he rose after 3 days… there’s loads me to it, but hopefully that suffices for now.

The seed of the serpant v the seed of the woman is the theme throughout scripture and is the cause of all emnity between man and God. The seed of the serpant bruises the seed of the woman’s heel (not fatal), but the seed of the woman bruises the seed of the serpents head (fatal). Christ overcame the flesh by living a sinless life. Through him we all have the hope of salvation through forgiveness of sins if we live by faith and obey the commandments… so eventually we will reign with him.

Verse 21 the Elohim made coats of skin as a covering for Adam and Eve. This is the first animal sacrifice in scripture - this is highly significant: the sacrificial lamb, ‘without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins’, the covering of the lamb… all things of Christ.

Verse 24 the Elohim guarded the tree of life with a flaming sword - deeper meaning - the way to the tree of life (immortal life) is through a flaming sword, the flame consuming fire, we must all pass through the refiners fire and face trials in life to shape our characters, life long trust in God and continual study of his word, prayer, meditation to develop the ‘fruits of the spirit’, help us overcome the flesh; the sword slays - death to the flesh, death to the carnal mind. Gods plan and purpose is to fill this earth with a multitude of immortal beings that manifest his glory in earth. Its all for His pleasure.

1 Like
3

Genesis 3, 4
The glories revealed in the creation account of chs. 1-2, are quickly followed by the account of the sin and misery of our first parents in chs. 3-4. The third chapter introduces us to what must be considered one of the higher order of the animal creation, having both speech and reasoning (2Cor. 11:3-4). A discussion takes place between Eve and the Serpent. The Serpent lies to Eve, distorting all that the Creator had spoken to Adam (ch. 2:16-17), stating that if she listened to him she would not die but ‘become as gods;’ therefore offering equality. In this light compare Phil. 2:6, which is better translated that the Lord Yahshua ‘thought that equality with God was not a thing to be grasped at’. Not Eve! She wanted glory and equality, here and now. It was the spirit of grasping for what was unobtainable without trial and test. • So this chapter outlines: • [1] The Temptation: vv. 1-5. • [2] The Transgression: vv. 6-8 • [3] The transgressors called to account: vv. 9-13. • [4] The transgressors’ judgment: vv. 14-19. • [5] Following the sentence mercy offered: vv. 20-21. • [6] Driven from the Garden: vv. 22-24. • Notice the progression that is revealed in v. 6. Eve ‘saw’ and ‘took’. So is the downfall of many mighty recorded (see Gen. 6:2; 34:2; 38:2; Josh. 7:21; 2Sam. 11:2, 4). In Gen. 3:21 it declares that “Yahweh Elohim made them coats of skins”. Firstly this shows clearly a sacrifice was made on their behalf by their Creator and Father, and secondly for ‘skins’ read ‘skin’ (singular, as according to the original Hebrew text). One sacrifice, One covering, for Adam and Eve were One in life and One in crime. And were it not for the gracious intimations here given of redemption by the promised Seed, they, and all their degenerate guilty race, would have been left to endless despair. Adam and Eve were to understand that they could not appear before the Elohim naked, as has been permitted previously. Nakedness represents sin, and with the law of sin in their members through the transgression undertaken, they now required a covering before they were acceptable to speak to the Elohim. So with all believers; a Lamb from the foundation of the world has been provided. • Chapter 4 records the birth of the first children of men, Cain and Abel. Here is a continuing of the presence of sin in the flesh. • Chapter 4 outlines: • [1] The family at worship: vv. 1-4. • [2] The first murder: vv. 5-8. • [3] Cain’s punishment for sin: vv. 9-12. • [4] Cain to be protected as a sign to others: vv. 13-15. • [5] Development of the line of Cain: vv. 16-24. • [6] Seth appointed in place of Abel: vv. 25-26. • Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters (Gen. 5:4), but our minds are here focused on Two Ways of living the Truth, illustrated by Cain and Abel. These are shown firstly in vv. 3-4, and the two different types of offerings, one including the blood sacrifice and one merely the fruit offering. This is followed by Yahweh not accepting Cain’s inferior offering. (v. 5). Note carefully the words of v. 7 where we read ‘sin lieth at the door;’ in other places this is translated ‘sin offering.’ Yahweh’s mercy is ever before us, but, here to no avail because Cain rebelliously rejected the blood offering, in anger and jealousy Cain slew his brother and then lies to Yahweh about it, with the incredible “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (1Jn. 3:10-16; Rom. 14:1-13). The rest of ch. 4 places Cain out of the Garden, the birth of his son Enoch, and the evident pride which he again showed in naming a city after his son (vv. 16-17). The chapter concludes with the birth of the third (resurrection; and significantly Yahshua rose on the “third day”) son Seth whom Eve recognises as an appointed one instead of Abel and finally there is the grandson of Adam and Eve, Enos, at which time “men began to call themselves by the name of Yahweh” (mg.) Here is Separation and Distinction from the Cain-like way, a figure of the ultimate victory over sin and death to be found in the sin-covering Yahshua, our altar. — Logos. Other comments: In chapter 4 of Genesis Cain was “a tiller of the ground” (v. 2) like his father Adam (ch. 3:23) while Abel would have favored his mother Eve through whose Seed the redeemer was promised and therefore Abel was “a keeper of sheep”. Because Eve was in the transgression, her consciousness would have been stronger and although Adam acted as priest of the family, Eve’s intuition in the promises were stronger because she would have realized her folly in the transgression which would have impressed upon her a deeper sense of responsibility. She did speak the complete Truth to the Serpent but he beguiled her with 2 truths and a lie (ch. 3:5 - 1- “your eyes shall be opened” - true; 2- “ye shall be as gods” - false; 3- “knowing good and evil” - true) thus an admixture and so after the Token of Redemption and the slain lamb, her mind was instilled with the faith of the promised Seed. Though she was mistaken as to her first confession (ch. 4:1), she must have realized this by her second confession (v. 25). — Logos.