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Genesis 3 Is Packed with Gospel Theology!

Sabbath School Net Posted on by avatar

As we study Genesis 3 and the fall in this week’s Sabbath School lesson, I am amazed how much Gospel theology is packed into this one chapter. 

In Genesis 3 we find The Plan of Salvation.

The wages of sin is death.

“but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Genesis 3:3 NKJV

We cannot cover our own sin or be saved by our own works.

Photograph by William Earnhardt

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:7,10 NKJV

While we cannot save ourselves, God has promised us a Savior.

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15 NKJV

While we cannot cover or save ourselves Jesus, the Lamb of of God died to cover our sins and save us.

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 NKJV

In Genesis 3 we find the truth about God’s Word.

While Eve reminds the serpent of God’s Word the serpent casts doubt on God’s word at first, and then turns around and calls God’s Word an outright lie. 

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. Genesis 3:1-4 NKJV

The serpent then suggests that Eve does not need God’s Word. She can be a god herself and decide for herself what is right and wrong.

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5 NKJV

The serpent assures Eve she won’t die for disobeying God. After all, how dare God tell us what is right and wrong, much less give us consequences for having our own opinions and way of doing things! The serpent tells Eve she will be like God. God makes the rules. God is the judge between right and wrong. If Eve becomes like God she will make the rules and decide for herself what is right and wrong. This was implied in the serpent’s comment to Eve, “you will know both good and evil.” In other words, “She would be a god. She would be a law unto herself. ” Ellen White, Christ Triumphant, January 16

Even with all the deceptions and misrepresentations God’s Word proves true. Adam and Eve died for disobeying. “For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 NKJV 

In Genesis 3 we find the truth about death. 

The serpent’s lie opens the door for spiritualism. 

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:4 NKJV

We see that mankind really does die and just returns to dust until the resurrection.

For dust you are, And to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19 NKJV 

We see that sinners do not have immortality and do not get to live forever.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— Genesis 3:22 NKJV

We see that angels are not our dead loved ones. We do not become angels when we die. God sends Cherubim angels to guard the garden and yet no one has died yet. Angels are not our dead loved ones. 

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24 NKJV.

In Genesis 3 we find an investigative judgment. 

Many throw shade on the Biblical teaching of the investigative judgment, saying God does not need to investigate since He already knows everything. Yet we see an investigation in Genesis 3 even though God already knew everything. Remember the investigation is not for God only. He is offering accountability to the entire universe. At the conclusion of the investigation in Genesis 3 and at the end of days, believing mankind will be justified and Satan will bear the ultimate responsibility for and punishment for sin.

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.  And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:11-15 NKJV

Did I miss anything? Can you find anymore Gospel theology in Genesis chapter 3? 

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Genesis 3 Is Packed with Gospel Theology! — 9 Comments

  1. The fall was complete in its deceptions. There is bad theology, though sincerely believed,that was proved false, "You shall be as gods knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5
    There is bad medical advice; "You shall not surely die." Gen.3:4
    Thus the fall of mankind was complete in its destruction, both spiritually and physically.
    The amazing work of Jesus in healing the physical body, and the forgiveness of sins while He was here on earth completely restores everything that was lost in the Garden of Eden.

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  2. Did I miss anything? Can you find anymore Gospel theology in Genesis chapter 3?

    Hi William

    The only thing I could add, is that, God is seen completely consistent to his divine nature of Love, Mercy, Long suffering and Justice.

    As follows:

    18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to *himself* through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
    19 That is, in Christ, God was *reconciling the world to himself* not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
    2 Corinthians 5

    19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
    20 and through him to *reconcile everything to himself* whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
    21Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds expressed in your evil actions.
    22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present *you holy, faultless, and blameless before him ​*— ​
    23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.
    Collossians 1

    God did not compromise his qualities of Divine Nature and never will !
    We can have solid faith that God will always act with Love, Mercy, long suffering and Justice.

    This is comforting good news that we have a loving God of divine principles, and not like a vengeful pagan God.
    Genesis 3 Good News

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  3. It's the same with us as it was with Adam and Eve. They were given the choice to follow Him or go against Him, and so we're we. In this account we see how important it is to follow God and all He teaches, just as it was for Adam and Eve. Even better, Jesus own death and resurrection allows us to have the same nature as Adam did before his fall through the Holy Spirit where we find the new heart and mind that has a clear connection to God.

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  5. I really enjoyed your presentation. It certainly was a wonderful study, lesson #2. Could you explain "While we cannot cover or save ourselves Jesus, the Lamb of God died to cover our sins and save us?" What is the context of "cover" here in relation to Jesus covering our sins? Is this biblical or just another twisting of the word by Satan? The bible states that He died to take away our sin, to eradicate it. It is gone. This has been a troubling concept for me for quite some time.
    Thanks again for your ministry. God bless.

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    • Good question Georgia. In Matthew 1:21 it says He will save His people from their sins. In Zechariah 3 Joshua's dirty clothes are removed before the clean clothes are put on. However James 5:20 says, "let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." Here it says cover sins but also talks about turning away from sin. Also in Proverbs 10:12 it says love covers all sins. I imagine even while someone is changing clothes they need a covering or privacy even when they change. Maybe God covers us even while He is changing us? Jesus always aimed to save the sinner's dignity, which is why He wrote in the sand instead of telling everyone off. So I would say Jesus covers us while He changes and saves us. What do you think?

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      • I have discovered another aspect of how Jesus covers our sins that are written in the books of heaven - He covers or blots them out with His blood - or in other words He forgives our sins.
        Neh 4:5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You;
        Matt 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
        Heb 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission/forgiveness of sins.
        Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
        Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
        Ps 51:1,9 According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
        9Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities
        Isa 43:25 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.
        Isa 44:22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

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      • Great answer on the covering while changing us.

        If I could add, the word *cover* can have different meanings in different dialects and context.

        E.G. To cover, can be considered to *hide* something and so the word *coverUP* brings to our minds a hiding of scandals and evil deeds.

        But in the context of the gospel, to *cover* our sins, Jesus has purchased for us the gift of the presence of God in Holy Spirit, whereby we can overcome Satan, sin and death, but not to continue in sin.

        The person at the wedding feast was thrown out for not having a wedding garment, in one of Jesus's parables.
        the wedding garment signifies the righteousness perfected in us by the working of the Holy Spirit.

        so it's definitely not a coverUP of sins but the death of sin in us by Christ our Lord !
        Matthew 22:11-13

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  6. To me one of the biggest themes of this chapter is the change of focus after sin enters the body. Adam and Eve had existed in the garden unclothed up until this moment, never once focusing on the physical. They were spiritually minded, but as soon as sin enters the body, their physical eyes become their focus, and instead of focusing on the things of God they begin worrying about their physical well-being.

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