Genesis 3:1-24, 3:1-7.                      continuation 

 'And the woman took of the fruit....' .

Satan tempted Eve but Adam knew of God's command yet he was persuaded  by Eve to take the fruit and eat it. What made him do that? The Bible does not give us any explanation but we can make some good guesses. A matter of relationship?

God created Eve for Adam because he had no companion, the obvious solution to loneliness. Loneliness can be a very hard trial for the individual but as so often happens the things we keep praying about and consider as pressing needs often turn out to be our downfall or a constant thorn in our flesh.

Abraham took Lot with him and he finally had to rescue him from Sodom. Moses took Aaron with him as a spokesman and the result was the Golden Calf. At other times, the blessing we yearn for from God, when received, draws us away from the Almighty.

What sort of influence did Eve have on Adam? Did she accuse him of not loving her? Did she threaten him with divorce? God put man as head over his house and it is a disaster when this role is not fulfilled. Was Adam with Eve when the serpent tempted her or not?

When Eve took of the fruit it was obvious nothing evil took place immediately and that is why perhaps Adam was easily persuaded. To be left out of a loving partnership is a hard decision to make! The immediate results of their action were not obvious to them neither is it to us when we commit sin, therefore we may indulge in it. For a time we think we are alright! Remember Samson? He got used to playing with sin and temptation but one day he woke up to find that God's power had deserted him.

'And the eyes of them both....' . Soon it became apparent that something drastically wrong had happened to them. They became aware of their nakedness and fear in their hearts. We see that they ran away to hide from God but we do not see any desire to turn to Him. The effect of sin is to turn away from God and a desire for more sin.

Their first reaction was to cover themselves. Man's first attempt to cover his sin and degradation-Fig Leaves. Why fig leaves?  not the best cover for the body.
                                                                                      To be continued