The Fall & First Families
WHILE IN THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN God’s children enjoyed a perfect home. In addition, they could eat of the “tree of life” and all the other trees except one: “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”1 But Satan told Eve that if she ate of the forbidden tree she would not die as God had warned. He promised her that instead she would become wise like God. Believing Satan’s lies, Eve ate the forbidden fruit, then shared it with her husband. Instead of becoming wise, they became ashamed. They tried to hide from God because they knew they had sinned.2 In the Bible the word “sin” means disobedience to God’s will.3
1Genesis 2:16, 17. 2Genesis 3:1-8. 31 John 3:4.
BECAUSE OF THEIR SIN Adam and Eve lost their paradise home, their close fellowship with God and their right to the “tree of life.”1 God had warned them also of death, a word involving “separation.” Spiritual death meant separation from God and eternal doom to their souls. Separation from the “tree of life” meant the beginning of physical death.2 But the loving Heavenly Father did not leave His wayward children without hope.
1Genesis 3:24. 2Genesis 3:1-8.
PRONOUNCING A CURSE upon the Devil, God said, “‘And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel’” (Genesis 3:15). Centuries later, Jesus, “born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4), was crucified for our sins. In this way the Devil bruised Jesus’ heel: that is, gave Him a minor injury. But in rising from the dead, Jesus bruised the serpent’s head: that is, He gave the Devil a crushing blow from which he can never recover.1 Jesus proved that we, too, may overcome death through Him.2
1Colossians 2:15. 2Hebrews 2:14, 15.
SACRIFICE FOR SIN now became necessary! Adam and Eve had turned their backs on their Father. They of themselves could never pay the price for their sin. Mankind was forever doomed.1 But God again showed His compassion for man by providing that animals could be sacrificed to atone for sin. God was just in making this arrangement. He knew that Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice, would eventually be offered to pay the full price for all sin.2
1Romans 3:23. 2Hebrews 9:13, 14.
IN KEEPING WITH GOD’S EARLIER command to “‘. . . fill the earth . . .’”1 Adam and Eve began their family. They had many children two of whom were Cain and Abel. Cain grew up to be a farmer. Abel became a shepherd.2
1Genesis 1:28. 2Genesis 4:1-8.
IN THE COURSE OF TIME Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God. By faith Abel offered a lamb. He received God’s approval.1 But God had no regard for Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground. Instead of being sorry, Cain became very angry and ultimately killed his own brother.2 Cain and Abel are examples of two kinds of worshipers: (1) those who worship by faith according to God’s instructions, and (2) those who worship, but not in keeping with God’s will. God approves of worship only when man worships as He directs. God will not accept man’s substitutes.
1Hebrews 11:4. 2Genesis 4:1-8.
WICKEDNESS soon began to fill the earth. As the population grew, wickedness multiplied. The Devil was dominating the lives of practically all the people.1
1Genesis 6:1-6.
JUSTICE, LOVE AND MERCY soon disappeared. From ruler to peasant the people became so corrupt that even their thoughts and imaginations were dominated by sin and violence. As God saw those who were made in His image now under the control of Satan, it grieved Him in His heart.1
1Genesis 6:5, 6.