Daily Devotions
Genesis
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Text: Genesis 3:1-24
UNDERSTANDING THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD
How should we understand the Judgment meted out against Adam and Eve?
1. The Rationale of God
The rationale behind the Judgment must be appreciated! God’s judgment was not meted out against Adam and Eve for simple disobedience! There were deeper implications! He who created the vast universe would not rage over a misdemeanour!
God’s holiness was offended! His plans to bless man were set back! The potential that God had created within man would now never be fully developed and realized! God had to do the needful. He was not just Creator. He was also Judge – holy and righteous! He could not just overlook sin! Adam and Eve had introduced sin into the world!
2. The Nature of Sin
While our first parents may not have been fully aware of the deadly nature of sin, but God knew its nature only too well. He knew how perfidious sin was. It would spread like cancer. It would finally kill the sinner! But long before that, it would cause the sinner to think and perpetrate evil deeds against humanity!
3. Vast consequences
Sin never just affects the individual. It will hurt others. The sin nature would be passed down to the next generation – to all mankind! Our personal experiences confirm this truth!
4. The Involvement of Satan
Moreover, Satan was involved! Did he think that he could inveigle man to sin against God, and get away with it? Hardly! The Judgment was as much against Satan as against Adam and Eve! The Lord looked forward to the time when the Devil would be destroyed!
WAS THERE GRACE AND MERCY SHOWN TO ADAM AND EVE?
Absolutely! Let us consider the following expressions of God’s grace.
1. They still had life!
They only lost their home in the Garden of Eden! They still had “a second chance” to make good. They did not die immediately (Cf. Genesis 2:17).
2. Provision of clothes
God still loved them and cared for them. He provided appropriate clothing for them (Cf. Genesis 3:21).
3. The Promise of Redemption
The promise of redemption (Cf. Genesis 3:15) was the finest display of God’s great grace. Imagine God promising salvation after The Fall!