Sunday: The Serpent
Read Genesis 3:1, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and Revelation 12:7-9. Who is the serpent, and how does he deceive Eve?
The text begins with “the serpent.” The syntax of the phrase suggests emphasis: the word “serpent” is the first word of the sentence. Also, “the serpent” has the definite article, indicating that this is a well-known figure, as if the reader should already know who he is. The reality of this being is, thus, affirmed from the first word of the chapter.
Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com
Of course, the Scriptures identify the serpent as the enemy of God (Isaiah 27:1) and explicitly call him “the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV). Likewise, in the ancient Near East, the serpent personified the power of evil.
“In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent — a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 53.
When talking about the devil, in whatever form he appears, the Bible is not talking mere metaphor. In Scripture Satan is depicted as a literal being and not just some rhetorical symbol or an abstract principle to depict evil or humanity’s dark side.
The serpent does not present himself as an enemy of God. On the contrary, the serpent refers to God’s words, which he repeats and seems to support. That is, right from the start, we can see that Satan likes to quote God and, as shall later be seen, even quotes the Word of God itself (Matthew 4:6).
Note also that the serpent does not argue immediately with the woman, but he asks a question that implies that he believes in what the Lord has said to them. After all, he asked: “Has God indeed said … ” (Genesis 3:1, NKJV)? Thus, even from the start we can see just how cunning and deceitful this being was. And, as we will see, it worked too.
| If Satan was able to deceive a sinless Eve in Eden, how much more vulnerable are we? What is our best defense against his deceptions? |
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Question from teaching - Satan was able to deceive a sinless Eve in Eden, how much more vulnerable are we? What is our best defense against his deceptions?
Bring every *thought* captive to Christ, analyze it with scripture, and ask to be directed by the Spirit to analyze the motivations of these thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5, James 4:1-7
In Australia we have some of the deadliest snakes in the world. The Coastal Taipan is known not only for its extreme venom but its aggressiveness. It has large fangs and strikes repeatedly. The onset of symptoms is very rapid with death following quickly if it is not treated immediately.
The interesting thing about snakebite victims in Australia is that most of the people who get bitten, are bitten because they are doing something to the snake. They think they know how to handle a snake and can outsmart it. Very few people get bitten "accidentally". The general advice is for people to avoid poisonous snakes and not try to outsmart them.
I do not deny the reality of the fall but there is also a spiritual lesson in the association of the snake with the fall. We get bitten by sin when we think we can handle it.
It is interesting to note the single word used to describe the serpent - arum. Bible translators have variously used words like crafty, cunning, shrewd, clever, subtle and even sneaky - illustrating that arum has many subtle aspects to it. Of the seven usages of this word in the Old Testament, 6 usages are within Proverbs and all of them convey deliberate and calculated employment of wisdom and skill for a positive purpose. By contrast, the use of this word in the only other instance conveys the deliberate and calculated misuse of 'wisdom' and skill for a very different purpose.
Bible scholars have noted an apparently intentional, subtle 'play on words' used by Moses when describing the serpent as 'arum' just after having described the state of Adam and Eve in the immediately preceding verse as 'arummim' (naked). Both words are derived from 'aram/arom' and are therefore related. Thus, at the very close of Genesis 2 we have Adam and Eve naked within each other's and God's presence and unashamed, while only a few verses later we have them stripped naked, ashamed and seeking to hide from God's presence (Genesis 3:7). Put another way, Adam and Eve had their formerly protected vulnerability stripped away, leaving them with an exposed and exploited vulnerability.
What happened between Genesis 2:25 and Genesis 3:7 that brought about this dramatic change? I would invite you to look very carefully at Genesis 3:2-6. Consistent with the nature of the serpent that used cunning craftiness for exploitative (maleficent) purposes to steal, kill and destroy, Satan ever so subtly implied and insinuated a different view of God's nature and character to Eve - God as self-seeking and arbitrary. And in its subtleness, Eve fell for that different view of God. This led Eve to, for the first time, distrust God and (by) instead "lean(ing) on her own understanding" (the opposite of Proverbs 3:5-6) and do(ing) what seemed good in her own eyes (as per Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 21:25). Self-seeking had become her heart's new desire. And this new state (lawlessness) put Eve, and subsequent Adam, out-of-harmony with what is essential for life - exactly as God had lovingly warned would happen (Genesis 2:17).
Notice how all this came about - the serpent didn't lift a finger. All he had to do was make ever-so subtle inSINuations about the nature and character of God that resulted in God being misportrayed and those misportrayals being believed.
Phil - it took a bit of reflecting on what you meant by "Put another way, Adam and Eve had their formerly protected vulnerability stripped away, leaving them with an exposed and exploitable vulnerability."
To help me understand, I worded it just a bit different: '.. , Adam and Eve had the former protection of their vulnerability stripped away, leaving their vulnerability exposed to be exploitable.'
Am I understanding you correctly that you consider Adam and Eve's nature 'vulnerable to deception' in need of protection? If so, what would have been this protection, and is this still the same protection the believer receives and applies today?
Thank you -
Hi Brigitte
Thanks for your invitation to provide further clarification.
Consider what it would have been like for Adam and Eve to be naked and feel no shame (Genesis 2:25). This can only occur when 'vulnerability' is combined with absolute safety. I propose that this was the way life was before the entrance of sin. So its not so much that vulnerability was protected prior to entry of sin - because it didn't need protection as there was nothing that would pose a risk.
However, subsequent to Genesis 2:25, Satan enters and now does something that transforms vulnerability into something that can be exploited and therefore now needs protection.
Thus, that vulnerability needs protection is something that I would propose only happened after the entry of sin - and will also end when sin ends.
How much more vulnerable are we? What is our best defense? Satan has deceived angels, which means he has years or practice. But I would say we have to understand things about Satan that is found in the bible. Yes, we must stay focus on the Lamb, which points towards the devils deception tactics.
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1, pg 35 tells us:
In the light of these evidences there can be no doubt that the serpent in Genesis 3 refers to Satan, the great accuser of the church of God. He manifested his subtlety then; he does the same today. We need to be on our guard continually. Let us heed the warning of the apostle to the Gentiles:
"I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. . . . But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2,3).
Paul also stated: "We don't want Satan to win any victory here, and well we know his methods!" 2 Corinthians 2:11.
BUT THE ONE TACTIC WE CANNOT IGNORE IS REFERENCED IN PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, PAGE 55. We are told that "the serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree, and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve."
This is really scaring when we think that Satan can and will do anything and everything to get us to commit. I to have fallen to the trap similar in nature. By focusing on the Lamb, I stay away from the sin. But when not focusing on the Lamb, the devil will walk to you, approach you with the temptation to drown out the light. And then before you know it...the sin has been committed. It fells like just the moment you become aware of the sin, and before you can react, there is a final push of committing the act.
A lot (majority) always seems to deal with or always revert back to truths. And its a matter of "whose truth". Just as Eve was deceived with words, so are we...nothing has changed. This is once of Satan's tactics we must be aware of.
I am so glad that I am in a safe forum where we can have these discussions of truth. Thank you, Forum Family!
What have I learned about Satan's tactics?
1) He uses people we would normally trust, wolves in sheep's clothing Matt 7:15, or even some men from our own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following Acts 20:30.
2) He quotes from the Word of the LORD or from an author we trust but in a way that leads us astray.
3) He asks questions that insinuates doubt in the truth saying this is what you have been told but the reality is different, let me tell you what you should believe.
How do I avoid falling into Satan's trap?
1) Be like the Bereans who examined the Word of the LORD to see if what the teacher said was true Acts 17:11
2) Read widely continuously in the Word of the LORD to get the big picture of the LORD's plan of redemption.
3) Choose wise counselors to aid you in your study of the Word of the LORD Prov 11:14
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 1John 4:1
Hi Shirley
I whole-heartedly agree that none of us should follow any human who tells us what we should believe - but rather, as you have also said, that we need to prayerfully and carefully study for ourselves, seeking guidance for the Holy Spirit as we like the Bereans search out the Word of God for ourselves (Acts 17:11).
Thank you Shirley for what you shared. Everything here is sound and true and inspiring. May God Bless you for your willingness to share and enlighten others.
The only antidote for sin's bite is Jesus, thus I have to always run (immediately) to Him... and I have to learn from Him, to trust in His merits, because I have none! Anguish comes from the lack of faith, although God Himself has given me life until now... and my past shows me how wonderful He has treated me amidst all my challenges and hard toils. God is the only One to receive praise, in the name of His Son, because He is THE ONE to receive ALL!
We face an enemy of supernatural origin and he has declared war on us, children of God. He is sending darts against us. He walks about like a roaring lyon seeking who he may devour, with all kinds of deception. Let's let Christ fight for us.
I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover me with His feathers, And under His wings I shall take refuge; His truth shall be my shield and buckler.
Psalms 91:2-4.
Under His wings the serpent cannot bite, tempt, deceive, or confuse. Submit to God and He will resist the devil for us. He proved that He is able many times with His mission on earth. Colossians 2:15. Luke 4:8.
The second verse in our lesson is this:
I wonder whether particularly appropriate for us here and now: Satan seeks to corrupt our minds "from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Is it possible that focusing on individual words and details may be corrupting us from the simplicity of the gospel as it is in Christ?
Mostly God used simple people to write the messages that He gave His people. They used simple language and did not write like lawyers, carefully placing every word. They were much more concerned about the overall message. And that's how I believe God wanted it then and wants it now.
If Satan was able to deceive a sinless Eve in Eden, how much more vulnerable are we? What is our best defense against his deceptions?....
What must the angels of heaven think of poor, helpless people who are tempted to sin and yet will not ask for help? God’s heart of infinite love is ready to give them more than they can ask or think. Yet they pray so little and have such little faith. The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near Him. Their greatest joy is sharing their time and thoughts with Him. The people of earth need the help that only God can give. Yet they seem willing to live without feeling Him near and without the light of His Spirit.STJ 93.4