Read: Genesis Chapter 3
Here we are only 3 Chapters into the Book of Genesis...from the beginning of Creation, and evil, in the form of the Serpent, presents itself. Chapter 3 of 1, 189 and already man decides to turn his back on God. I mean things are too perfect here, there has to be a villain, but really, only 3 Chapters in and literally moments after we read of God breathing life into Adam's nostrils, and God creating woman so man is not alone, we find moments later, creation choosing death over life.
First it's interesting to me that the description of the serpent, looks nothing like a man with horns, a tail and a pitchfork. It actually states that the serpent is a "beast of the field". If I recall, Adam was brought all the birds of the sky, livestock and beasts of the field that God created and was told he had dominion over them, that he was to not only name them, but rule over them. So by that account, we can describe the serpent as some sort of beast of the field that God created.
God created.
Since God knows what he is doing in every creation, I'm certain that although we like to think that Satan is some sort of God's counterpart, we clearly see here, that the serpent is really only a created beast of the field. Nothing more, nothing less. Absolutely not equal to God, and for some reason, perhaps because God brought the beast to Adam to be named, we find this particular beast in conversation with Eve. Now if you are like I was, you might have thought it was just Eve there with the Serpent, but if you read on, you will see that Adam was there the entire time. The first conversation we are made aware of is the Serpent, immediately causing doubt by asking "if God really said". People debate God's Word all the time. What is interesting is the question was one in which partial truth was presented and then added to. The Serpent added "all trees" to God's warning and then Eve responded by adding "or even touch it". We do that to, when we quote scripture to someone, we like to add bits and pieces of our own personal touches on God's word and distort truth. Like a bad game of telephone.
Regardless, the cunning beast of the field, with one slight change of God's word, redirected Eve's perception of truth and she began to hunger for something she was not intended to have. She has access to everything, but was warned that one thing would end it all...except she now believed God was holding out on her and she could not resist taking what was not good for her and Adam, right beside her, agreed. Interesting enough, the beast of the field, God created, brought to Adam to have named and to have dominion over was actually exercising lordship over Adam and Adam submitted. The moment that happened...
FEAR and SHAME set in.
Now, as we often do when we disobey God, we find Adam and Eve who once enjoyed their time with God in the garden, now ran and hid from him. Much like we continue to do today. So after God requires and answer for their disobedience, Adam blames God, and Eve blames the Serpent. There is no accountability or truth to their answers. Sin has a way of changing our hearts to become more like it.
At this time, as a Judge would do over a Defendant, God shares with Adam, Eve and the Serpent the Sentence of the conviction they brought on themselves. We see at this moment, how the God of the Old Testament, the One we connect with fire and brimstone shows His grace, forgiveness, and ultimate way out. God always provides a way.
To Eve, increase pain in child bearing, which I find a question in. Did Eve have children yet? If she had never had given birth, how would she know what an increase of pain in childbearing would be?
To Adam, who never had to work a day in his life, who had everything handed to him, was now going to be kicked out of his father's basement and would be required to work for all he had.
To the Serpent, the form of the beast of the field would transform to a belly slider.
And then.... God tells of the ultimate plan of salvation. Jesus. In the 3rd chapter of the Bible, the beginning, immediately after the fall, God unfolds His plan for the end of the book...eternity....and we get to watch it unfold, generation after generation, but not before God sets the precedent of the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sin, and covers His children's fear and shame and nakedness with His forgiveness.
Yet at the same time, God also stands firm in justice. Adam and Eve are escorted out of the garden, away from the tree of eternal life. I personally believe that if this did not take place, and Adam and Eve were permitted to eat from the tree of eternal life, there would have been no hope for redemption and no hope for us.
God always provides a way, even when we see it as punishment.
God does an amazing job.