The Fall of Man, Part One

A Devotional Series from Genesis

Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)

3/18 Reading Portions: Exodus 29; John 8:12-59; Proverbs 5; Galatians 4

Genesis 3:6

So when the woman 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.

CULPABILITY

It was not the woman’s deception that placed a curse upon the entire human race and plunged us into sin. We know this from shear experience—though we have been saved by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit lives within us (John 14:17), we are still susceptible to deception. Scripture commands us not to be deceived (1 Cor 15:33). Our calamity comes from the culpability of Adam, the first man. He wasn’t off playing golf on Eden’s back nine while Satan finagled and higgled his way into the woman’s vulnerabilities. Adam was right there with her (and she also gave some to her husband who was with her). Adam alone was culpable.

The blame falls squarely upon Adam. The theologians call this Adam’s federal headship. As the first man, he represented all mankind. He was the one from recorded Scripture that was told not to eat from the forbidden tree (Gen 2:16-17), before the woman was created (as we had considered a few days ago). Moreover, Scripture tells us this:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Among the several truths this verse implies, one of the things it tells us is that if you were there, or if I was there, we would have done the same as Adam. As descendants of the first man and first woman, we are just as guilty as Adam in his disobedience against God. Again, Scripture tells us:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

But there is good news! The gospel of the Lord Jesus Messiah is exalted supremely above our sin. It is written:

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22

Hallelujah! What a Savior!