We have looked at how God made everything. He also made a man, called Adam, and a woman, called Eve. God put them in charge of his garden in Eden. Life was very good for Adam and Eve, because God had given them a safe and beautifulX place to live. Adam and Eve were perfect partners. Eve was described as a helper to Adam (Genesis 2:18)

Even more important, God had given Adam and Eve a free will. They were not God's puppets; they were not God’s slaves; they were free to choose what they would do.

The choice

There was a special fruit tree in the middle of the garden. This tree was called, "The Tree of the KnowledgeX of Good and Evil." God told them that they could eat of any tree they liked - except this one. Even before Eve was created as a partner for Adam, Adam had been given this rule from God (Genesis 2:16-17). God did not say, "I will stop you from eating the fruit of the special tree." Instead, God tested Adam and Eve by letting them choose whether to obey4. If they loved God, then they would obey His rule and not eat the tree. If they did eat the fruit from the tree, it would mean that Adam and Eve did not love God.

Adam had been told what would happen if he disobeyed God. "When you eat of it you will surely die" Genesis 2:17. Adam and Eve would no longer be allowed to live forever (be immortalX), but would one day die (be mortal).

What happened? Well there was an animal (called a serpent) living in the garden who could talk. The Bible does not tell us much about the serpent, but you can read what it said to Eve in Genesis 3:1-5.

Eve listened to the serpent, and decided to eat the fruit (v6). Then she gave some to Adam, who also ate it.

The result of disobedience

As soon as they had eaten the fruit, they knew that they had disobeyed God, that is, they had sinned, and they tried to hide from God. Sin and guilt had started in the world. God knew what they had done and He punished them as he had promised. They were sent out of the garden. From now on they would have to work very hard until they died (Genesis 3:19). Adam did not die immediately: we read in Genesis 5:5 that he lived for 930 years!

From then on, death would come to Adam, Eve, and to all their children, including you and me. Please look at Romans 5:12.

We know how sad it is. We see our family and friends die, and we will all die one day. But God did not leave Adam and Eve as dying creatures. God loves men, women, and children, and has a way to save us from death. "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

We read of the great hope of Jesus Christ in 1 CorinthiansX 15:22, where the verse says that those who are children of Adam will all die, but all who are children of Christ will be made alive forever.

So we need to look at Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to take away the sins of men and women, so that we might escape death.

What did God say to Adam and Eve after they had eaten the fruit of the special tree? You can read what happened in Genesis 3. God placed a curse on the snake that had lead them to sin. God decreed4 that Eve would have children, but that it would be painful to her. But she had to respect her husband. God said to Adam that the ground would be cursed. No longer would it grow food easily. There would be weeds, plants and pests that would make Adam and his descendantsX4 have to work for their food.

And all of this has happened. Whenever we grow any plants for food, we have to battle against the weeds and insects. While there may not always be pain in bearing children, yet it can be painful to bring them up. And to this day, the snake is a hated creature throughout the world, and it is always a symbol of evil and sin.

The promise

But in all this sadness there was promise of a special son who would be born to one of Eve’s descendants: that special son would be Jesus Christ. And soon he will crush sin and evil for ever, and take away the curse on the ground.

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Last Updated: Sunday, 20 August 2006