Genesis 3: The Fall
Part 3: The response.
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, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Eve takes the bait. Why? Deception of course. But notice her thinking process:
The fruit was good for food (duh!);
A delight to the eyes;
Desirable to make one wise.
What’s striking about these reasons? They are all normal and reasonable desires and reasons. Also all were true, except for the wisdom promise, of every other tree in the Garden. If the fruit was ugly and nasty-tasting, would Eve have indulged, even with the wisdom hook? I suspect not, certainly less likely. Was the fruit prettier than all the other fruit in the garden? Maybe, but almost beside the point: the visual and taste appeal of the fruit facilitated the core attraction: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, the attraction of the idea.
Her mind was fascinated by the idea. It was entirely glamorized in her vision; all consequences, all concerns, all warnings pushed out of mind. It was a most peculiar blindness, but one at the very core of her nature: the blinding allure of self-interest.
Are we really so sure, if we were in her shoes (or on her bare feet...), that we would not succumb to the very same temptation? Have we not done so, many, many times, ourselves?
The gifts of reason, of rationality, of vision, of anticipation and expectation separate us from the animal kingdom. These elements of our nature are derived from our origins in the image of God. Passion, emotion, love of beauty, enjoyment of God’s gifts and blessings, imagination: these are given to deepen our understanding, our gratitude, our joy, our experience and love for Him. But free will — without which we cannot engender love — gives us the freedom to use such assets, not to serve Him, but to sever our relationship with Him. We can choose, in freedom, to love and honor Him, or elevate ourselves.
This is the choice Eve made. This is the choice we all make, daily.
And so Eve, having sunk her pearly whites into the apple, now offers it to Adam. With “helpers” like this, maybe it’s time to call Social Services...
..she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Was Adam there for the temptation, or did he arrive on the scene later? Did he succumb to the same temptation of the serpent, or did Eve just bat her long lovely lashes to enjoin him in her great idea?
We don’t know, but more importantly: why did he eat it?
It was Adam who received the command directly from God, so ignorance was no excuse. Did he realize Eve would die, and losing her was more important than his relationship with God? Did he want to please her, despite her disobedience, out of “love?” Did he doubt God, since she didn’t die at the exact moment she ate?
Who knows, maybe some of those motives, or others, or none.
But we, surely, would never agree to such an offer! Never reject God to stay in an ungodly relationship. Never agree to sin to please a spouse, or a friend, or our boss, or avoid criticism or rejection. Never compromise our morals for selfish gain. '“Did God really say … ?”
Never. No siree! God forbid!
Whew, thank goodness. I was worried there for a moment …
No matter, the lovely couple joined the clothing-optional Fruit of the Month Club together. And they handled their new club membership with grace and aplomb, as you would expect ... or not. Wonder what next month’s culinary goodness will bring? Tough act to follow, that poisonous fruit — but you’ll have to wait ‘til the next episode to hear about it. Coming soon to a Substack near you... Here.