A |
ND when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:6-8)
v
The deception and consequences of our mother, Eve, given in the Third Chapter of Genesis, may go unnoticed in the fuller context of God’s plan for His elect. But there are profound meanings associated with the text that go far beyond a mere brief devotion. True – she should not have gone to that tree in admiration. True – she should not have tarried there. True – she should not have conversed with the cunning Serpent. And, true – she should not have yielded to the disobedience to God’s Word in partaking of the forbidden fruit. But there is a larger picture of God’s foreordained purpose in all of it.
Adam was the first man by whom death and sin ruled in the souls of all his progeny. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12) Doctrinally speaking, Adam was the progenitor of ‘original sin’ of which we all are partakers. Being the federal head of the natural man, we all inherit his sin-diseased blood. But the second man, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the head of all who are born anew, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit of God. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
May I share what I believe to be a hidden truth of this sordid affair of Eve in the Garden at Eden? Why did Adam eat of the forbidden fruit? Was he, too, deceived by the Serpent or even by His helpmate, Eve? Scripture tells us Adam was not deceived. There is a profound revelation here and a foreshadowing of the purpose of God in instituting His Church.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1 Timothy 2:11-15)
Adam loved his wife, Eve, dearly. She was, in fact, all that he had. I do not believe Adam could countenance the idea of living alone without his beloved helpmeet. He knew, even better than Eve, that partaking of the forbidden fruit would result in death for Adam alone had heard the commandment directly from God. Yet, Adam partook of that fruit! He was willing to share in the death of his beloved Eve in the same way that Christ was willing to die for His Bride, the Church! Adam was a type and an antitype of the Lord Jesus Christ. The death of Adam entailed the death of all born of the flesh; but the substitutionary death of Christ came the resurrection of all born of the Spirit! Marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman that pictures that bond which exists between Christ and His Church.
Please read with understanding: 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:41-48)
Our Bible is a Book brim-full of precious gems, but gems are not found lying around on the surface soil, they must be gathered in mines and sought after diligently. Seek, and ye shall find!
