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First Suffer
The first time the word “suffer” appears in the Bible, God is standing up for Cain, first murderer in history.
It doesn’t describe Adam and Eve’s pain, and it doesn’t refer to Abel’s murder.
Rather, God is reassuring Cain that his enemies will suffer if they take vengeance on him. It’s a word of caring in an impossibly difficult situation.
Eternal Life Lost
In verses 20-24, God provides Adam and Eve with clothing made of skin.
God himself killed animals to cover up their nakedness.
We also learn that people originally were intended to live forever. God drove both Adam and Eve from the garden so they couldn’t eat from the Tree of Life.
It seems merciful that we can’t live forever. Who’d want to experience that much pain?
Adam
In verses 17-19, Adam receives his punishment, a lifetime of toil.
Ouch.
Busted!
In verses 7-13, we learn that Adam and Eve are busted, unable to avoid the consequences of their disobedience.
Adam’s Silence
In verses 1-6, Eve and the serpent have an extended conversation about the fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
At the end of verse 6, we learn that Adam was standing there the whole time.
When you hear a friend or family member about to do the wrong thing, speak up!
Outline of Genesis 3
- Serpent tricks Eve while Adam stands by
- Adam sins, too
- Adam and Eve become self-aware
- God responds
- Serpent punished
- Eve punished
- Adam punished
- God clothes Adam and Eve, bans them from the Garden of Eden
Deeper Resurrection Reflection
Sin entered the world via one person, Adam.
Forgiveness entered the world via one person, Jesus.
