Prime the Pump: Genesis

By Daniel Wagner

“Modern eyes” often read right past important ancient cultural clues without realizing they have missed the point for that passage of Scripture. Prime the Pump: Genesis intends to relate ancient culture and practices to the biblical text in order to appreciate Scripture more, appreciate God more, and love Him better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664277182

Daniel Wagner

He worked in manufacturing before attending Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA, as a 32-year-old freshman, where he earned his BS in Bible. He attended Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield PA (now Missio Seminary in Philadelphia PA), where he earned his MA New Testament. He currently is the Pastor of The Bible Fellowship Church of Camden DE.

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CONTENTS

Dedication For Prime The Pump

Acknowledgments

Preface

God’s Names In The Old Testament

Genesis 1

Genesis 2:1–17

Genesis 2:18–25

Genesis 3:1–7

Genesis 3:8–13

Genesis 3:14–19

Genesis 3:20–21

Genesis 3:22–24

Genesis 4:1–7

Genesis 4:8–16

Genesis 4:17–26

Genesis 5:1–32

Genesis 6:1–8

Genesis 6:9–22

Genesis 7:1–5

Genesis 7:6–16

Genesis 7:17–24

Genesis 8:1–12

Genesis 8:13–19

Genesis 8:20 To 9:7

Genesis 9:8–17

Genesis 9:18–28

Genesis 10:1–32

Genesis 11:1–9

Genesis 11:10–32

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 1)

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 2)

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 3)

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 4)

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 5)

Genesis 12:1–3 (Part 6)

Genesis 12:4–9

Genesis 12:10–20

Genesis 13:1–13

Genesis 13:14–18

Genesis 14:1–16

Genesis 14:17–20

Genesis 14:21–24

Genesis 15:1–6

Genesis 15:7–21

Genesis 16:1–6

Genesis 16:7

Genesis 16:7–10

Genesis 16:11–16

Genesis 17:1–8 (Part 1)

Genesis 17:1–8 (Part 2)

Genesis 17:1–8 (Part 3)

Genesis 17:9–14

Genesis 17:15–17

Genesis 17:18–21

Genesis 17:22–27

Genesis 18:1–8

Genesis 18:9–15

Genesis 18:16–21

Genesis 18:22–33

Genesis 19:1–3

Genesis 19:4–11

Genesis 19:12–14

Genesis 19:15–22

Genesis 19:23–26

Genesis 19:27–29

Genesis 19:30–38 (Part 1)

Genesis 19:30–38 (Part 2)

Genesis 19:30–38 (Part 3)

Genesis 20:1–7

Genesis 20:8–13

Genesis 20:14–18

Genesis 21:1–7

Genesis 21:8–14

Genesis 21:15–21

Genesis 21:22–24

Genesis 21:25–32

Genesis 21:33–34

Genesis 22:1–8 (Part 1)

Genesis 22:1–8 (Part 2)

Genesis 22:1–8 (Part 3)

Genesis 22:9–14 (Part 1)

Genesis 22:9–14 (Part 2)

Genesis 22:9–14 (Part 3)

Genesis 22:15–19

Genesis 22:20–24

Genesis 23:1–20 (Part 1)

Genesis 23:1–20 (Part 2)

Genesis 24:1–9

Genesis 24:10–21 (Part 1)

Genesis 24:10–21 (Part 2)

Genesis 24:22–28

Genesis 24:29–51

Genesis 24:52–67

Genesis 25:1–6

Genesis 25:7

Genesis 25:7–11

Genesis 25:12–18

Genesis 25:19–28

Genesis 25:27–34

Genesis 26:1–5

Genesis 26:6–11

Genesis 26:12–22

Genesis 26:23–25

Genesis 26:26–33

Genesis 26:34–35

Genesis 27:1–4

Genesis 27:5–29

Genesis 27:30–40

Genesis 27:41–46

Genesis 28:1–5

Genesis 28:6–9

Genesis 28:10–17

Genesis 28:18–22

Genesis 29:1–14

Genesis 29:15–30 (Part 1)

Genesis 29:15–30 (Part 2)

Genesis 29:31–35

Genesis 30:1–8

Genesis 30:9–24

Genesis 30:25–43

Genesis 31:1–16

Genesis 31:17–32 (Part 1)

Genesis 31:17–32 (Part 2)

Genesis 31:33–55

Genesis 32:1–21

Genesis 32:22–32

Genesis 33:1–11

Genesis 33:12–20

Genesis 34:1–12

Genesis 34:13–31 (Part 1)

Genesis 34:13–31 (Part 2)

Genesis 35:1–8

Genesis 35:9–15

Genesis 35:16–21

Genesis 35:22–29

Genesis 36:1–43

Genesis 37:1–11

Genesis 37:12–36

Genesis 38:1–11

Genesis 38:12–23

Genesis 38:24–30

Genesis 39:1–6a

Genesis 39:6b–10

Genesis 39:11–23

Genesis 40:1–23

Genesis 41:1–36

Genesis 41:37–57

Genesis 42:1–5

Genesis 42:6–17

Genesis 42:18–28

Genesis 42:29–38

Genesis 43:1–14

Genesis 43:15–34

Genesis 44:1–34

Genesis 45:1–15

Genesis 45:16–28

Genesis 46:1–4

Genesis 46:5–27

Genesis 46:28–34

Genesis 47:1–12

Genesis 47:13–26

Genesis 47:27–31

Genesis 48:1–7

Genesis 48:8–22

Genesis 49:1–33

Genesis 50:1–14

Genesis 50:15–21

Genesis 50:22–26

DEDICATION FOR PRIME THE PUMP

First, and foremost, Prime the Pump must be dedicated to the honor and glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit! Before creation, while the Triune God experiences perfect fellowship, the Sovereign, Triune God decrees to speak creation into existence ex nihilo—out of nothing, because nothing (not even one scrap of a thing) existed. God decrees to create a vast universe with man created in the image of God Himself, having mind, will, and emotion. God would create man, which includes both male and female, in unconfirmed holiness—without sin present in his nature—for his will to confirm his nature through obedience or disobedience. God created man to benefit from a close, loving relationship with God, and Adam chose to disobey (1Tim. 2:14).

God’s desire to benefit man through a close, loving relationship would not be thwarted. Knowing before He created man that man would choose to disobey, God establishes His Plan of Salvation while only the Godhead exists. God the Son, at the absolutely correct point of time, would take on unblemished humanity through God the Holy Spirit causing conception in a virgin. The Triune Godhead then went about with creation, Adam’s disobedience, condemnation of every natural descendant of Adam, and revealing His desire to forgive sin through the death of an Innocent Substitute for the guilty parties.

God sees the perfect sacrifice for sin in our Lord Jesus Christ hanging on a Roman cross, shedding His holy blood to pay a debt of sin that He did not owe in order to regain what He had not lost. There is absolutely nothing in or about me that qualifies me for forgiveness of sin. Just like you, I was born with The Sin Nature that I received because Adam reproduced after his own kind—a sinner who reproduced more sinners, who, in turn, reproduced even more sinners. God saw no merit in me. He saw no goodness in me. He saw sinfulness and condemnation for that sin. However, something else occurred before creation. God chose to save some who are condemned. God the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and accomplished His work of grace in my life on 18 May 1968.

The second part of this dedication goes to my parents, Edwin and Edna Wagner, who taught me the value of doing my best. While doing my best did nothing regarding salvation, it instilled in me a desire to understand and put into practice whatever I might learn. I surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior from sin at age 12, and that spirit of incorporation took on a new and greater value—now because of acquiring spiritual knowledge through reading the Bible.

The third part of this dedication goes to my bride, nicknamed Lee, who joined me as an equal partner in our adventure together that began in 1977. After our tenth wedding anniversary, approaching our eleventh, I was a thirty-two-year-old freshman with two children when I entered Lancaster Bible College to study for vocational ministry.

The fourth part of the dedication goes to a vast host of individuals whose names, for the most part, do not appear here in print, not because they are unimportant, but because of the volume that would be required and/or the possibility of missing one here or there. I especially desire to thank The Bible Fellowship Church of Camden DE for their role and amazing support and encouragement that the congregation has been to me.

The last part of this dedication is to you, the reader of Prime the Pump. I am thankful to those who helped fill my container along the years. I pray that this work will prime your pump into greater understanding and appreciation of God through Scripture.

Blessings on your day,

Pastor Dan Wagner

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior

Rev. and Mrs. William R. Tarr, Sr.

Lee Wagner

Rev. Dr. Lloyd Perry

The Bible Fellowship Church

"An Expanding Fellowship of Churches United

to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ"

www.bfc.org

The Bible Fellowship Church of Camden

201 East Camden–Wyoming Avenue

Camden DE 19934

John and Ava Gourley

PREFACE

Aren’t there enough devotionals and commentaries out there? Why write another? Yes, there are a lot of devotional materials out there, and Prime the Pump: Genesis surely can be used as a devotional, but it is intended to be more than that. Part of the concept is to be a simple commentary (a layman’s commentary) that introduces the reader to an ancient culture in order to understand Scripture more from the vantage point of the original recipient—rather than through modern eyes.

I believe in the inerrancy of the Bible in its original manuscripts. I believe that godly scholars worked very hard to deliver Scripture to the heart language of people who did not know the original languages of Scripture. I believe these scholars attempted to translate accurately from the original languages and had to make choices regarding what word to use in this context for those who will read this translation. I applaud their hard work, and you should applaud their hard work also.

Those who know me will tell you that I love teaching the Bible to people! One of the comments that I have appreciated from students of Scripture through the years relates to the inclusion of background material for the passage in order to bring deeper understanding of what occurs for the person or people involved in what has been recorded in Scripture. This allows the student an opportunity to discover that the truth written in Scripture for those people still applies to the present time—it applies to me and for me!

Reading Scripture with modern eyes has value. Reading Scripture with ancient eyes causes the characters recorded in Scripture to come alive before us. Scripture is actual history that is recorded for us to learn the heart of God. Who is He? What is He like? How are we like Him? How do we differ from Him? Does He know me? Can I know Him? Does He care about the mess in the world? Does He have a solution for man’s trouble? Does He communicate a solution for man’s trouble? Can I trust Him? How did we get here? Does the world go on and on like it is, or is there an end?

The Prime the Pump series begins with Prime the Pump: Genesis, which begins at Genesis 1:1 and works through the entire Book of Genesis, passage by passage. Some will read in order. Some will go to a particular passage to see what is written. I have had the blessing and privilege of graduating from Lancaster Bible College and Biblical Theological Seminary. I now have the stewardship of passing along that blessing to others. Some may have studied Bible and Theology, like I did, and may benefit from a different perspective. Some may desire to understand their Bibles better, but do not have the resources to attend classes. Whatever your circumstances may be, the concept here parallels an old story. It may be fictional or actual, but it goes like this.

Imagine traveling long distances without finding drinking water when arriving at a rusty hand pump with a gallon jar at its base. Coming closer, you see a handwritten note that says, The gallon jar contains drinking water from this pump. You have two possible choices. If you drink the water, you might satisfy your thirst. If you pour the water into the hand pump to prime the pump, you will be able to pump as much water as you please—and don’t forget to refill the gallon jar for someone else.

These pages are intended for you to prime the pump of Bible Study, to gain understanding and application to life, and to fuel a passion for further Bible Study. As your understanding and passion grows, you can fill other people’s gallon jars for them to prime the pump.

As I write the Prime the Pump series, I will use a term, let’s call it a contraction, for the various people groups of the land of Canaan, which also is the Promised Land and Israel. That contraction that I formulated is -ites (see Preface) —instead of writing out every people group that ends in -ites. There is no derision, no hatred, no ill-intent involved. It merely is a short-cut instead of writing out all the actual names of people groups.

All the verses come from the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV), so the exact words you read in your personal Bible may be just a bit different than printed here if you use something other than ESV. I pray that God the Holy Spirit greatly blesses you and your own study of the Bible as you read Prime the Pump: Genesis.

Reverend R. Daniel Wagner

GOD’S NAMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament uses three primary names of God. Reading Scripture in our own native tongue requires translation from the original Hebrew Old Testament Scripture, unless, of course, Hebrew is our native tongue. Each of the three primary names of God has its own subtleties, and the translators have developed a system that allows us to know which primary name of God is being used. By knowing which primary name of God we are seeing, that knowledge can enrich our experience with Old Testament Scripture.

Each primary name of God in the Old Testament has its own very specific printed form. Each specific printed form allows the reader to recognize which name of God is being used and can add insight to the context of the verse and/or passage. I list the three primary names of God, along with some thoughts that I believe should be associated directly with each, here.

•God (printed as uppercase G with lowercase od)

oThe Hebrew word is Elohim. Hebrew uses im at the end of nouns to make them plural (like English uses s or es.)

oIt is plural! He is One God in three Persons. It is not the plural of majesty (for example, Queen Elizabeth II says, We are not pleased with this when speaking her opinion.)

oThis usage denotes strength and creativity.

•GOD/LORD (printed either as all uppercase letters of the same height (GOD or LORD), or printed as all uppercase letters with smaller uppercase letters finishing the name (GOD or LORD).)

oThe Hebrew word is YHWH—the covenant name of God.

oThis usage should remind us of His love, care, kindness, faithfulness, provision, grace, mercy, forgiveness, leading, etc.

•Lord (printed as uppercase L with lowercase ord.)

oThe Hebrew word is Adonai (when used of God, it is printed Lord). This usage acknowledges His supreme authority to decree and accomplish anything that does not conflict with His nature.

oWhen Adonai is used of people, it is printed in all lowercase (lord or master) as a title of respect.

oAll the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV) verses will follow the method described above, and I will attempt to use the primary names of God in this same method. The use of these primary names of God is not haphazard—it is quite intentional. Look at Psalm 38:15 below.

But for you, O LORD (YHWH), do I wait;

it is you, O Lord (Adonai) my God (Elohim), who will answer (Psa. 38:15 ESV).

Learn to read these primary names of God the same way that the human authors of the Old Testament understood their use.

Pastor Dan Wagner

GENESIS 1

MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY don’t get a blessing from the Old Testament, so they focus on the New Testament. This is intended to show that the Old Testament has so many very rich blessings for us today. Without a good understanding of the Old Testament, we will miss many of the incredible truths contained in the New Testament. Therefore, I have set about to work through the Book of Genesis to deepen the understanding of ancient culture and practice, dealing with scriptural truth that transcends both ancient culture and current culture.

It is easy to read And there was evening and there was morning, the ____________ day (Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31) while receiving no blessing, so look deeper.

Science defines darkness as the absence of light. Science does not define light as the absence of darkness. Darkness is a lack, a nothingness. God begins with a great-big-nothing, and God uses His power and authority to speak something into existence. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light (Gen. 1:3 ESV). Verse 4 follows by saying, And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:4 ESV). The light has no choice but to obey God’s voice to be created and to separate itself from darkness!

Please take careful note that God creates light before He creates the objects that we consider to be the source of light. Yes, our sun is a source of light. The stars are sources of light. The moon reflects light. But God Himself is the source of all light!

Genesis 1 and 2 are the first chapters of the Old Testament, but they also are a good example of what often is called the Hebrew storytelling style. I know it sounds redundant, but the Hebrew storytelling style goes like this: I tell you what I will tell you. Next, I tell you in much greater detail. Then I tell you what I told you. Genesis 1 is the I tell you what I will tell you —portion, and Genesis 2 gives far greater detail of creation. Genesis 2 is not God creating again—it is detail regarding the major portions of creation.

Now we go back to Genesis 1. God creates today whatever will be required tomorrow. Light is required for Day Two, so God creates it on Day One, and so forth. We can see this occurs right up to Day Six. Our all-powerful God sets up a pattern for us in creation—He works for six days, and He rests on Day Seven. He doesn’t rest on Day Seven because He is tired; He establishes a pattern for man. He set aside one day out of seven to put aside our work in order to devote our attention to Him!

Many years later, God will give The Ten Commandments to His people through Moses. One of those clearly states to set aside the seventh day for God. It is both our duty and our privilege to sanctify one day each week to worship God, have God the Holy Spirit open our understanding of His Word to our hearts, exercise the spiritual gifts that God the Holy Spirit sovereignly gave to each believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to fellowship with other believers.

God lays this foundation In the beginning (Gen. 1:1 ESV).

GENESIS 2:1–17

GENESIS 2 BEGINS WITH THE seventh day and God resting, blessing the seventh day, and making it holy. Through the years, many have discussed or debated whether the days of creation were literal twenty–four–hour days, or whether the word days means a period of undetermined quantity of time. One reason for this discussion or debate is the theory of evolution, which claims that life began by chance and evolved little by little over many decades, centuries, or millennia into a variety of plants and animals, then ultimately the ape evolved into man. Allowing the word day in Genesis 1 to mean a period of undetermined quantity of time, some may think they appease science or those who hold to the theory of evolution.

However, we must remember that it is the theory of evolution —it is a scientist’s idea of the way the incredible variety of creatures and plant life appeared on Earth, and one thing is true about theories—theories must be proven multiple times to be received as truth, yet the theory of evolution has never been proven even once. As I understand the theory of evolution, it has many, many gaps, as well as flaws in logic. I realize that many people believe it to be true, but that does not make it true. The simplest answer is to have faith in a Master Designer, who created an incredibly complex system of checks and balances and that it was good—even very good" (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 25, 31).

When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground — (Gen. 2:5–6 ESV). Prior to Adam’s creation, the LORD God watered the ground by a mist—not through rain. Take notice of verse 7 recording the care and personal touch of the LORD God when He creates man: then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature (Gen. 2:7 ESV). In fact, Adam means ground —man carries the name of his physical origin.

Scripture gives great detail to man’s creation, but it gives no detail to the creation of plants or animals. The LORD God created man to be special in every way. Genesis 1:27 says, So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen. 1:27 ESV). According to Genesis 1:27, both male and female are called man when referring to the entire human race.

Genesis 2:8–14 provide details of the LORD God planting a garden in Eden, placing the man (male only at this time), and rivers. Take note of the description of trees (and therefore fruit) in Genesis 2:9— pleasant to the sight and good for food. Verse nine also contains a simple statement about two very specific trees— The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it (Gen. 2:15 ESV). Sin has not yet entered the world, and man is working. Therefore, work cannot be the result of sin. Instead, man is created to work; he is created to take good care of the earth and to take pleasure and find fulfillment in work—work is not a curse!

Genesis 2:16–17 contains very important information. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’ (Gen. 2:16–17 ESV). In the garden of Eden, man has one commandment from God: Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating from every other tree is permitted. How difficult can it be to follow one commandment?

GENESIS 2:18–25

THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’ (Gen. 2:18 ESV). The LORD God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27a), and the LORD God created man to be a social creature (it is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18 ESV)). Man was created to be in fellowship with God and with fellow man, but at this time the male is alone in a creation containing many, many male/female pairings. According to verses 19 and 20, the LORD God gives the male a job—By what names should the pairings of animals be called?

We think of name as being equal to how do I sign a check. Scripturally speaking, this definition is inadequate. In the Bible, name means so much more than a designation to distinguish between two people. Yes, it does get used that way quite often, but here in Genesis name needs to be understood as that which fully describes the character, the nature, and the entirety of the being.

The male gives names to all the pairings of animals, and he discovers in the process that he is not a pairing—he is lacking his help–mate, his other one. This has not caught the LORD God by surprise. Adam had not realized it, but naming the animals was the LORD God’s method for Adam coming to an understanding that he needed someone.

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man He made into a woman and brought her to the man (Gen. 2:21–22 ESV). The word translated rib here is used other places in the Bible as river bank or boundary. As scientific and medical knowledge has increased, we have found this word to be very helpful. Perhaps a generation ago, someone discovered the double-helix of DNA—a complex substance that defines the boundaries of that living thing. DNA is distinctly different for each type of plant and each type of animal. Human DNA is different than the DNA of animals.

Someone labeled male DNA as XY and female DNA as XX; based upon this medical/scientific knowledge, we might say that the LORD God took the X part of Adam’s DNA and doubled it to make Eve’s XX DNA, quite unique by comparison. In reproduction, the male can contribute either an X or a Y while the female only can contribute an X; the fertilized embryo will be either XX (female) or XY (male), determined by God’s sovereign hand.

The end of verse 22 tells us that the LORD God brings the woman to the man. This is the LORD God performing the first marriage in history. He could have created two, three, or any quantity of women to bring to the man, but the LORD God creates one—also establishing a pattern for man to follow. Adam names the animals, and then the LORD God causes a deep sleep and creates Eve, bringing her to Adam.

Scripture records Adam’s response in verse 23: This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man (Gen. 2:23 ESV). After seeing multitudes of animals and naming them, Adam finally sees his help–mate, his helper, his pairing—the exact match he needs.

Verse 24 uses the terminology become one flesh. The physical bonding of man and woman also causes something else: one flesh. When people use sex simply as an activity to enjoy, they are joining themselves to multiple partners, which not only is sin, but it creates confusion within the soul. Sex within marriage as God intends is holy; it is satisfying; it is a very intimate expression of love for the spouse, and it brings honor and glory to God. Guilt abounds in sex as a casual activity with whomever one chooses, but there is absolutely no guilt in sex with one’s spouse. This is part of the explanation for verse 25: And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed (Gen. 2:25 ESV).

GENESIS 3:1–7

THE FIRST PART OF GENESIS 3:1 says, Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made (Gen. 3:1 ESV). Quite often Scripture has a section that begins with Now when presenting information that was not given to us previously. Without this information, the account doesn’t make sense, but with the information we have the necessary understanding to proceed. This piece of information tells us that the serpent is more crafty than any other beast. We will see that as we study these seven verses.

One of the first things that needs to be said at the beginning of Genesis 3 is that God has not given us a time reference in Scripture from Day Seven when He rested until this point—we simply do not know, and, apparently from the perspective of God’s plan of salvation, it doesn’t matter how long (but we still would like to know). Another thing that needs to be said is that literally everything is brand new, Adam and Eve have their work of keeping the garden, but their days are filled with new experiences. Along comes a serpent and starts talking to Eve. We might say, Wait! Serpents don’t talk. Something unusual is happening. Yet for Eve, should it be considered unusual when a serpent speaks? Maybe, maybe not.

The end of verse 1 records the serpent asking Eve a question, which doesn’t mean anything good or bad most of the time, but we understand that we must consider who asks the question, what motive does he have in asking, and is it a leading question? Eve doesn’t have that experience; she is completely innocent. The serpent’s question basically is whether God said they could eat anything they wanted. Look at Eve’s reply: And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die (Gen. 3:2–3 ESV). The serpent knows he has her! She added neither shall you touch it" to God’s command. Since they were to care for the garden, they might have to touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which would be fine; they are not to eat the fruit. There is a big difference!

Since Eve added to God’s command what never was intended by God, she has taken a good command and turned it false. The serpent goes from being crafty to an outright lie at this point, knowing that Eve no longer can stand on truth. But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’ (Gen. 3:4–5 ESV). Examine these two statements with me. You will not surely die is a lie—she absolutely will die, but she might not drop over dead that instant. Regarding the second statement of knowing good and evil, that is true. Being tempted to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and choosing to obey God would cause her to know good and evil through refusing to do evil. Being tempted to eat and eating, she would know evil by experience.

Read the description in Scripture for Eve’s perspective on the fruit: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate (Gen. 3:6 ESV). Now look at the previous description: And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food (Gen. 2:9 ESV). Compare them:

•… every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food (Gen. 2:9 ESV).

•So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit … (Gen. 3:6 ESV).

•The words and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise (Gen. 3:6 ESV) are part of Satan’s lie.

So, we have Eve having eaten the fruit, and she brings some to share with Adam. Adam had heard God’s command personally, and he sees that Eve has eaten; Adam knows that Eve will die! He had waited for her as his help-mate; what would he do when she dies? Would he be alone forever? Would God take another rib from him to make another woman for him? The Apostle Paul writes, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor (1 Tim. 2:14 ESV). When Adam eats, he has chosen to disobey God’s one command to him; Adam choices to sin and become a transgressor. Take notice that the eyes of both were opened (Gen. 3:7 ESV) after Adam ate. Eve’s eyes were not opened before Adam ate. Adam is the representative for the entire race of man. His choice to sin opens their eyes. Now they know they are naked, and they cover themselves with fig leaf loincloths.

GENESIS 3:8–13

WE SAW IN GENESIS 3:7 that Adam and Eve made fig leaf loincloths to cover themselves because they knew they were naked. They had always been naked and not ashamed, but now their nakedness brings them shame and guilt, and they want to cover their guilt and shame. They have the right idea, but they have the wrong method.

They hear the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden (Gen. 3:8 ESV). We need to understand a couple of things from this verse.

First, they recognize the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden—this tells us this activity has occurred enough times for them to know what is happening: The LORD God is making another appearance in the garden in order that they may enjoy a time of fellowship with Him. Scripture doesn’t tell us how many days they have been in the garden, but it has been long enough to recognize the sound of God walking in the garden to meet them.

Second, when they recognize the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden, and they understand their relationship with Him is now different than it was previously—they previously had not eaten from that tree that the LORD God said, No!, but now they had! They no longer could face the LORD God in a state of being righteous. They have sinned; they are guilty; they have shame. They hide, perhaps believing that the LORD God would not see them in their sinful state.

Some, falsely, believe the Where are you? from Genesis 3:9–13 means that the LORD God does not know where Adam and Eve have hidden themselves. However, the truth is that the LORD God desires people to have a vital relationship with Him, that He desires to