Genesis 3: The Fall.

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES ICON.

Genesis 3: The Fall.

The sin of Adam and Eve and its consequences for humanity are depicted in a dramatic way in Chapter 3’s narrative. By eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge, ‘man’ wants to decide for himself and on his own what is good and what is bad and to act accordingly: like the song title sung by Bing Crosby ‘I do it my way’. 

Well, we may wonder what was really the sin here, since God gave humanity free will. The sin is that man refuses to accept an objective law. It appears an outrage against divine sovereignty, as a sin of pride. Mankind does not want to submit himself to the order established by God. All mankind who by its revolt against its Creator loses the friendship of God and sinks into wretchedness, it disturbs the order of the universe.  However, God offers mercy, seen in the promise in Gen 3:15 ‘one of the woman’s descendants will crush the serpent’s head’. 

THE FALL AND THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

How does this passage link with the New Testament?  Obedient even unto the death of the Cross-, Christ, the perfect Servant of God, will make amends for mankind’s disobedience. Risen from the dead, the new Adam is the first born and the head of a new mankind.  Reading Romans 5 seems to be an excellent link passage to Genesis 3 on the fall.  Another useful passage comes from the Preface of the Cross: ‘Father, in love you created man, in justice you condemned him, but in mercy you redeemed him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

But we must relate this to ourselves. We can be tempted to go into our comfort zones and think that Christ has saved us, the effects of original sin are wiped away at Baptism and all is well. God is indeed generous, but He wants our friendship with Him. 

We need to submit to the divine order daily. A worthwhile friendship needs to be worked at. It does not just happen. During Lent, we have the perfect opportunity to start afresh..  We have to commit ourselves to our relationship with God. 

He knows us and when we do fall, Christ in his divine mercy, through the Church, provides us with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Perhaps we can reflect on our attitudes towards this sacrament and use it wisely and often to nurture our relationship with God.