Observations as I follow God through the Chronological Bible.

READ Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-4

On the seventh day, God rested, and on the eighth day the business of living commenced. Adam and Eve began the daunting task of replenishing the earth and bringing everything God created in subjection to their God given authority.

God’s purpose for creating woman leaves the implication that periods of time elapsed when God was not present. The Bible is silent on how often he interacted with Adam and Eve. We only know he visited in the cool of the day. We also know Adam and Eve were not the first to sin against God, because one of God’s creations tempted them to sin. How much time elapsed from the eighth day of creation to the first discussion about God’s intentions is unknown.

The unknown is not as important as what we know. One of God’s creations asked the people in authority an insincere question about God. “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”[1]

Forget the image of the snake we are familiar with today. This creature did not slither on the ground eating dust. Slithering and eating dust were God’s judgment against him for his sin. This creature could communicate with humanity and may have stood upright. Whatever form the serpent bore, he had a problem with God before the discussion began.

The serpent had no interest in the truth about God. He sought to instruct those God set in authority over him. God created Adam first, but it is the woman who took the lead in this discussion about God. She said, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 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.’”[2]

Consider Eve’s words carefully. Is she correct? Did God forbid them to touch the tree on penalty of death?

God said, “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”[3]

Eve said if you eat or “touch it” you shall die. She added to God’s word as though God himself said it. If you are thinking this is minutiae think again. Many years later, Jesus quoted a scripture to religious people who, like their mother Eve, added to God’s commands. Jesus said to them, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”[4]

God chose Adam and Eve to rule the earth. God himself instructed them. God planted the garden they called home. He gave them a light and easy burden to bear—do not “eat” of the tree of knowledge. Yet their hearts were far from God.

The serpent called God’s integrity into question. “You will not surely, die,” he said.[5] In other words, God is a liar.

Is God a liar? If you need proof God tells us the truth visit a graveyard. As you walk by each grave, pause and ask yourself who told the truth. Death is certain. Adam died. Eve died. Every person who came from their flesh and every living creature under their authority dies.

Is God a liar? No. There was only one liar in the garden, and it wasn’t God.

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[1] Genesis 3:1

[2] Genesis 3:2

[3] Genesis 2:17

[4] Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:6

[5] Genesis 3:4