Dispensation of Innocence

Genesis 1:28-3:24

Steward:

Adam (Gen2:16)
 

Man's Responsibility:

Don't eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or in that day shalt thou surely die. (Gen 2:17)
 

Other responsibilities:

Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over all living creatures. (Gen 1:28)

Maintain and guard the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15)

Character of Environment:

Perfection!

Trees were pleasant to the eye and good for food (Gen 2:9)

Four great rivers to water the garden (Gen 2:10)

"Good" gold and precious stones (Gen 2:11-12)

All were vegetarians (Gen 1:29-30)

Man was free to eat of every tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen 2:17)

Man was extremely intelligent and had a brilliant memory. He named (and remembered the names of) all the animals. He exercised his free choice (Gen 2:19-20)

Man had a personal and tangible relationship with God and was not ashamed of even being naked before Him as they knew no evil. (Gen 2:25, 2:19, 3:8)

Man was able to commune with the animals (Gen 3:1) (Eve did not think it strange that the serpent spoke to her).

Man and woman were truly equal, woman was a helper suitable for man.

Marriage was instituted in the perfect setting of this garden. (Gen 2:22-24)

Woman had no pain in child bearing nor sorrow in raising children.

Man did not have to toil, just tend and guard the garden (which was not considered toil). The garden was watered by a mist and by the rivers which flowed through the garden. There was no rain (Gen 2:6, 10)

The woman did not yet have a name.

Satan had already been cast out of heaven to the earth and could possess the creatures. He possessed the serpent which at that time was not in the form of a snake. (Gen 3:1, 14)

Characteristics of the deception:

The serpent did not exactly lie but instead questioned God's holiness and credibility by asserting that God was withholding something good from them. God deliberately wanted man not to know of good and evil. He did not hide this fact, afterall, Eve and Adam knew that the name of the tree from which they were not to eat was called the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Satan perhaps also knew that Adam would not die physically immediately and since after they ate it and did not fall down dead, perhaps they thought they were safe? They did however discover that Satan had not lied as far as giving them the knowledge of good and evil, but they were now ashamed of their nakedness and hid themselves from God. They died spiritually.

Eve (perhaps due to the beguiling of the serpent) added to what God had commanded. She added that they were not to touch the tree but God did not say this (or at least it is not recorded that He did). (Gen 3:3)

This form of deception is no different today but yet how we still fall into its traps! Rather than trusting God's authoritative word, we believe Satan's half truths. Often, Satan does not lie, but, God does not want us to have this particular knowledge as He deems it not good for us. But, we mustn't fool ourselves, sometimes he outright lies afterall, he is the father of lies (John 8:44)

The failure of the responsibility:

Eve is deceived and eats of the forbidden tree.

Adam eats with her!

When God questions them, Adam blames God and the woman, (the woman which YOU gave me), Eve blames the serpent and neither take responsibility for their actions. (Gen 3:11-13)

The Judgment:

Broken fellowship with God. (Gen 3:8)

Woman to suffer pain and sorrow in child bearing and raising and she must be under her husband (whereas before they were equal) (Gen 3:16)

Ground cursed and man must sweat and toil in order to eat. (what used to be a pleasure was now a difficult task) (Gen 3:17-19)

The serpent became a creature which slithers on its belly (was a beast of the field Gen 3:1) and eats dust and woman would fear this creature rather than being attracted to it (Gen 3:14-15)

Adam named the woman Eve. (Gen 3:20)

Banished from the perfect garden (Gen 3:24)

Death is born (Gen 3:21, 3:19)

Grace and Salvation:

Shedding of blood to cover transgression until coming of saviour (Gen 3:21, Rom 3:23-25)

Promise of Saviour (Gen 3:15)

What can we learn from this dispensation?
If given the opportunity in a perfect environment, no hard work, true equality, no knowledge of evil, perfect human to God, human to human and human to animal relationships, blissful garden setting, physical riches and complete dominion over all creatures, we will not trust God and instead desire to know evil. Yet God loves and desires our fellowship so much that He provides a means for us to continue in fellowship with Him through the only way possible, the shedding of blood.

J Stephen
1/11/98

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