Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
This text is used for the Lectionary Year A on March 5th, 2017.
The first Sunday in the Lenten season focuses our attention on Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7. Those who observe this season engage in fasting, moderation, self-denial and repenting have a heightened connection with, dedication and sensitivity to the Lord God. It is also a season when one is more susceptible to temptation; one must, therefore, exercise discipline. These are major emphases of this text.
As the preacher studies and meditates on this pericope, he cannot avoid seeing themes of God giving an assignment, setting boundaries, giving freedom of choice, expecting obedience, and imposing consequences. The text also indicates that we are to have a heightened connection with and sensitivity to the Lord God, whether or not we are observing the Lenten season.
Many English translations show that after God “put” the man “into the garden of Eden” he was assigned “to cultivate it and keep it” (2:15). But “put” could mean “caused to rest,” within the context of safety, particularly in God’s presence and be dedicated to God. Resting does not necessarily equate to being still and doing nothing. Indeed, “to cultivate” actually means “to serve” or “to work” and “to keep” means “to take care,” which includes protecting and guarding. With that understanding, the man was to serve and take care of the garden, not own, control or dominate it. These responsibilities may also be seen as having to do with spiritual service that is dedicated to God.
The man’s assignment or placement was given by God and not to be modified by the man. But the man chose to change God’s assignment. The preacher can develop this point and pursue how we also make choices that change the assignment God gives to us.
After God had given the assignment, there were boundaries or restrictions given. The man was not to do whatever he chose to do. He was commanded to perform his assignment and benefit from his efforts within certain parameters. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it, you will surely die” (2:16-17). Presumably, what God made available to eat from any tree was sufficient for the man’s sustenance.
The man was given the freedom of choice within the context of expecting the man to obey. He could eat freely from any tree in the garden but was restricted from eating from one of those trees. He chose not to comply, did not control himself and was disobedient.
It could be said that God expects us to obediently stay within our lane or our part of the garden, meaning that God has set boundaries in our lives in which we are to stay, and our freedom to choose is limited.
When we do not stay in our lane, wrecks can happen. This is also true in our lives and in what we see in the resulting wreck of the man’s life in this text.
This restriction also suggests that God is the only one who determines what “good” and “evil” is for us. Perhaps that is at least one drawback to us, rather than God, telling ourselves what is good and evil; we are challenged to make the distinction. Left to our own one might say we will not establish God-honoring codes of morals or ethics. These are some points the preacher can develop when preaching this text.
The involvement of the crafty serpent with the woman introduces sin in the pericope, and it shows how the man and woman fundamentally did not trust God or at the very least doubted God had their best interest in mind and would provide what was good and sufficient for them.
Interestingly, not only did the man modify God’s assignment to him but what God commanded was also modified by the woman. In referencing God’s prohibition regarding the tree, the woman added the words “or touch it” (3:3). God did not command that the prohibited tree not be touched; so she did not speak God’s words as God spoke them.
Perhaps today God’s people modify or misquote God’s commandments, either to support their desires or from ignorance. Then others, like the serpent, will make you question if the consequences will be as God’s word says (3:4) or if God’s word is true or if God wants to keep you from something that is really good for you (3:5). It was as if the serpent was appealing to something in the woman that is attracted to leaning to her own or other’s understanding. The woman was tempted.
As we follow the woman’s actions, we learn the pattern of temptation that leads to sin and how our sinful behavior can influence others to sin. The woman saw the forbidden tree (3:6). The woman desired fruit from the tree (3:6). The woman took and ate forbidden fruit from the tree (3:6).The woman shared the fruit with the man (3:6).
God’s unmodified words should have been spoken to the serpent as the woman and man were being tempted, as Jesus spoke to the devil when he was being tempted (Luke 4:1-4). Indeed, men and women do not live on food alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (4:4).
Speaking God’s accurate words help us resist temptation, by reminding us of God’s boundaries and his available help. Without those words, we are vulnerable to temptation.
God says the dreadful consequence of sinful disobedience is death or separation from God. So, for victory’s sake, let the preacher declare the words of the Christian hymn:
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin
Each victory will help you or some others to win
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus and He’ll carry you through
Just ask the Savior to help you
To comfort, strengthen and keep you
He is willing to aid you
And He will carry you through
Joseph C. Parker, Jr.
Senior Pastor
David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Austin, Texas
pastorparker@davidchapel.org
Tags: temptation, understanding, good and evil, separation