Anatomy of a Lie

Anatomy of a Lie

Genesis 3: Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

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Harmony existed between GOD, man and woman. GOD had HIS two trees, man and woman had their millions of trees. GOD could eat from HIS trees, man and woman and animals could eat from an endless variety. Satan, took the form of a serpent, probably to hide from being seen. He did not approach the man, rather he approached the woman.

 

My Observations:

• Satan started his lie by questioning GOD in a way that creates doubt.
• Eve, added words to what was told to her.
• Satan capitalized on her misunderstanding by telling her something that was not true.

 

Let me start off by saying that GOD has not revealed all that HE is to humans. I have to go to the end mankind to explain the beginning of the fall. In the end, Satan “was” sentenced to eternal death and GOD sealed up his fate in a scroll that could only be opened by a sinless human. Satan was thrown out of heaven to earth.

 

I believe this is where our story picks up. Satan wanted to ruin “all” humans, starting with the first. His plan probably included staying around the garden and controlling the humans with lies. This is not written, but fits the way Satan operates. Satan’s entire motive was to “be” GOD and to take over. If he could get the humans to fall, then he would accomplish getting all humans!

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD clarify the conversation between Eve and Satan to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to lie?
• Are you being lied to regarding your worth, or if GOD loves you?

From One to One

From One to One

Genesis 2: ²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²² Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

²³ And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

²⁵ And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

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Permanence is what I think of when I read this passage. When GOD made Adam, HE fashioned his ribcage with twenty-four ribs. To get that rib, GOD had to surgically remove it, so HE put Adam into a deep sleep. HE then closed up the flesh as if nothing happened.

 

My Observations:

• GOD planned a special creation for man and woman.
• GOD may have also planned multiple races when HE made humans.
• GOD used the material that was created from HIS breath to create woman.

 

All of the beasts, insects and creeping things were made from the earth. So was Adam. But the woman was created special. Equally intelligent, yet different in anatomy. GOD made a wife for Adam. Now he had someone “comparable” to him. A helper.

 

I can’t help thinking that Moses interjects with an observation. An out of place statement leads me to believe that Moses had an “aha” moment as if to say, “Oh, that’s why a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they become one flesh.” Because GOD had one bone to make a second person, but they would be able to join together sexually, as well as work together in harmony, tending to the garden and naming the animals.

 

There was perfect harmony when the woman was made. Both were naked and shame was unknown. No disease. No problems. Just GOD, man and woman.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD give Moses the quote from Adam?
• Have you ever dreamed of a time when there was perfect harmony?
• What does harmony amongst humans and GOD look like to you?

 

Problem Defined

Problem Defined

Genesis 2: ¹⁸ And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” ¹⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

 

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During the creation, GOD saw a problem. Man was alone. All of the animals, birds and fish were brought to the man to see what he would call them. But nothing in all of creation was a suitable helper “comparable to him.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD saw a problem that HIS creation would be lonely even though HE was with the creation.
• GOD said. For the first time, “It is not good.”
• GOD wanted the best for HIS creation, so HE decided to make a “helper comparable to him.”

 

For the first time we see the name Adam mentioned. He was made with extreme intelligence and creativity. GOD made all the animals, birds and fish, but Adam named all of them. He did not need the tree of knowledge of good and evil, rather he needed some help.

 

Adam had enough on his plate, tending to the garden and naming the animals. This was not a stressful job, but a lot to do. GOD may have wanted the human to have someone to celebrate new observations and enjoy each other. Adam had plenty of time to do all that he had to do, because he was not made to die.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the first problem?
• Can you see how GOD wanted the best for HIS creation?
• Are you aware that GOD wants the best for you and HE wants you fully restored today?

Free Will Established

Free Will Established

Genesis 2: ¹⁵ Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ 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.”

 

After creating a perfect place with beauty that could be enjoyed forever, GOD placed man in the garden and gave him something to do. The trees would grow themselves and provide fruit. Water was plentiful so no plant suffered. There was no rot or disease or bug infestations.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the first human something to do for his enjoyment.
• GOD provided everything the first human could ever need.
• GOD also gave the first human a choice to obey by providing something he should not do.

 

Two trees were GOD’s and millions, if not billions of trees were for the first human. Each plant, bush, or tree would provide enough food for every animal, bird and fish. GOD probably had other conversations with the first human, but those are not recorded. HIS command, however, is recorded. HE distinctly told the first human not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. HE even gave the consequence. Death.

 

“What in the world is death?” would have been my question. GOD did not reveal the total conversation with the first human, but somehow, the message was conveyed. This was the very first command. No other rules. No sacrifice. No laws. Just eat and tend to the food provided.

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD emphasize this command to Moses?
• Even with plenty, have you ever wanted what someone else had?
• Have you considered how much or how little you surrender yourself to GOD by choice?

Mapped Out

Mapped Out

Genesis 2: ¹⁰ Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. ¹¹ The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. ¹² And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. ¹³ The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. ¹⁴ The name of the third river is Hiddekel it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

 

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Names of areas and rivers is the first thing I noticed. The great river that supplied four other rivers, had a purpose of watering the garden “in” Eden. GOD showed Moses the four rivers and told him the names. HE also showed him gold and precious stones.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made the rivers gentle enough to water the garden without destroying it.
• GOD made the rivers shallow enough for humans to walk in them without pain or fear of drowning.
• GOD made the great river flow from the area called Eden which provided life to the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

 

Every area was made as a gift for humans. Gentle rivers, beautiful trees, different landscapes, all provided a variety of experiences for humans. GOD was pleased to provide variety and shared precious stones with humans. The area was now complete. It was ready for humans to enjoy!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think it was important for GOD to show Moses the lay of the land?
• Have you ever traveled to other areas and seen different landscapes, trees, lakes and rivers?
• Do you look forward to GOD providing you with peace and tranquility someday?

A Special Place

A Special Place

Genesis 2: ⁸ The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. ⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

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GOD continues giving Moses a recap of creation. HE explained that after HE created the container that would hold the universe, stars, sun, moon, sky, water and earth. HE created birds, fish, animals, insects and good bacteria. HE then created man and breathed a special breath in HIM which gave him a soul. Everything was very good! BUT GOD did something special. HE planted a garden that was more beautiful that other places.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made a special place even more special.
• GOD planted two extremely special trees, one giving life and one providing the knowledge of good and evil.
• GOD seemed excited about “being” with HIS creation, so HE made things that would be “pleasant.”

 

It seemed like GOD wanted a special relationship with humans. HE made so much for us and was very pleased with HIS creation. When HE placed the trees in the garden, it seemed like it was HIS way of showing the HE would be there with us. I can see the extreme lengths GOD went through to have harmony with us.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD made a special garden for humans?
• Have you ever wondered if you were special to GOD?
• Can you start with a thought that you are special to GOD so you can see more in yourself and others today?

Breath of Life

Breath of Life

Genesis 2: ⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

 

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GOD, in HIS recap of the beginning of humanity, describes how he made the first man to Moses. GOD took the complex minerals and formed the first human. It was lifeless until HE breathed into the sculpture.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made humans special.
• GOD took time to fashion the first human.
• GOD spoke other things into existence, but humans received HIS breath of life.

 

No other creature received the breath of life. GOD wanted humans to be a special creation and gave a soul to us. All the autonomous systems inside humans were functioning. The brain was able to produce and receive thoughts.

 

When GOD breathed the breath of life into man, he made him pure. There was no sin in the breath.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD gave Moses this recap of what HE made the first man out of?
• Why do you think GOD did not breathe into any other living thing?
• Have you considered that GOD created you special to HIM and wants the best for you?