Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Christ is the Lord and God for us – The Blame Game
Genesis 3:13-17
Vs 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:13-17
Vs 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”
A few days ago, I noticed my friend had posted the following question on social media: “Three kids, all causing trouble in the house and playing around which leads to something breaking. Who gets in trouble?” The answer, “all three kids.” Growing up, my brother Ryan and I would inevitably do something to get in trouble. It was usually preceded by a warning from our parents which we’d usually disregard. Unfortunately for the both of us, it didn’t matter who started it, who caused it, who was the first one or who was the last one. We would both be punished. As the sons of Malayalee parents, I’m sure you have a very good idea as to what our punishments were.
This passage is about the “First Sin.” The serpent approaches the woman and asks about the trees she can eat from in the garden. The woman said, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” You all know the rest of the story. She eats it and convinces Adam to eat it as well.
That’s when the blame game begins. God realizing their sin, questions Adam. Adam manages to blame both the woman and God! You gave her to me, and she gave the fruit to me, meaning I ate – only because of “You” and “her”. God then gives Eve an opportunity to explain and like Adam, Eve shifts the blame but instead to the deceitful serpent.
Ultimately, it did not matter, and God makes his point very clear. He had given a command which was defied by both Adam and Even. For their sin, there would be consequences. But here is the beautiful aspect of this passage, Jesus Christ is referenced for the first time! Verse 15 (…and you will strike his heel) is referred to as the Protevangelium— the first Gospel. It proclaims that God’s people will finally triumph over the serpent. Old Testament scholar Derek Kidner defines the Protevangelium as "the first glimmer of the gospel." Many early church fathers, such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, regarded this verse "as the first messianic prophecy in the Old Testament." The supporting new testament text of Romans 16:20 says, “The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.” Despite our constant behavior of blaming others for the sins in our lives, we have God who from the beginning prepared his son for our redemption.
As Dr. Ray Pritchard says, “Our sin may be great, but as the promise is greater than the transgression, through Christ’s great sacrifice we have been set free.”
This passage is about the “First Sin.” The serpent approaches the woman and asks about the trees she can eat from in the garden. The woman said, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” You all know the rest of the story. She eats it and convinces Adam to eat it as well.
That’s when the blame game begins. God realizing their sin, questions Adam. Adam manages to blame both the woman and God! You gave her to me, and she gave the fruit to me, meaning I ate – only because of “You” and “her”. God then gives Eve an opportunity to explain and like Adam, Eve shifts the blame but instead to the deceitful serpent.
Ultimately, it did not matter, and God makes his point very clear. He had given a command which was defied by both Adam and Even. For their sin, there would be consequences. But here is the beautiful aspect of this passage, Jesus Christ is referenced for the first time! Verse 15 (…and you will strike his heel) is referred to as the Protevangelium— the first Gospel. It proclaims that God’s people will finally triumph over the serpent. Old Testament scholar Derek Kidner defines the Protevangelium as "the first glimmer of the gospel." Many early church fathers, such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, regarded this verse "as the first messianic prophecy in the Old Testament." The supporting new testament text of Romans 16:20 says, “The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.” Despite our constant behavior of blaming others for the sins in our lives, we have God who from the beginning prepared his son for our redemption.
As Dr. Ray Pritchard says, “Our sin may be great, but as the promise is greater than the transgression, through Christ’s great sacrifice we have been set free.”
PRAYER
Dear Lord, despite our inability to take responsibility for our shortcomings, thank you for proclaiming Your Son as the ultimate sacrifice. AMEN
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Let’s remember that Christ came in fulfillment of a promise made amid the wreckage caused by Adam’s sin.” – Dr. Ray Pritchard
Dr. Ron Jacob, Long Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Dr. Ron Jacob, Long Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church