Day 2 (Genesis 3-5)

Well, day 2 of my devotions has extended into another week! The topic “The Entrance and Extent of Sin” (Genesis 3-5) deserves much more study and treatment than a little blog entry. This lesson is very deserving of more time, but here are some thoughts about it in brief.

In the Old Testament, Genesis, Chapter 3, we read about the disobedience of Adam and Eve, often called the “fall of man”. Satan (a fallen angel) had already rebelled against God and was persistent to sell his “product of sin”. He made false promises to Eve, deceived her, and then she, gave the fruit to Adam, resulting in them both being guilty. I have heard sermons on this before, some believing that the guilt rests on Eve, while some regard Adam’s indifference as the cause of his wife being led astray. But, God punished and cursed all involved: the serpent, then Eve, and then Adam. Their disobedience and shame resulted in sin being passed down to the next generation. Cain became jealous of his brother, Abel, and murdered him.

This lesson saddened me, as I read painful words, such as: sin of the family, downward spiral, God’s judgment, wickedness of the world. Eve is finally comforted with the birth of another son, Seth, believing that God has appointed another son to replace Abel. Then Seth has Enosh, and finally we read, “Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:25).

Since I am a wife and mother, this account cautioned me to not be like Eve, led astray by my own imagination of what is “better” for myself, my kids and family, my home, my career, my time, and the list goes on and on. It is easy in this modern world to lose focus on what is really important in life. Who really matters. What really matters. I hope I can be one, “who calls upon the name of the Lord”.

Jesus was tempted. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is described as being led by the Spirit [of God] to the wilderness to be tempted. He fasted 40 days and 40 nights. He became hungry. The tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” But He answered, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God.” He was then carried away to be tempted again; first, at the pinnacle of the temple, to see if he jumped down, if the angels would save Him. He repeated the Scripture, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test” (Deuteronomy 6:16). Finally, He is taken to a mountain top, and asked to bow down and worship the devil. He is promised all the kingdoms of the world; He quotes the commandment, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and serve Him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13).

As Christians, we are to remember and strive to live by the example of Jesus Christ. The author (of this devotional guide) describes Him as being tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We are to do as James instructed in the New Testament, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (4:7). Only then can we find the perfect peace and will of our Heavenly Father, to live a life holy and blameless in Jesus Christ.