Genesis - Part 8
Genesis 3:14-24
Knowing Good and Evil
God’s Curse and God’s Provision
Meeting Purpose
Discuss and analyze Chapter 3 of Genesis, focusing on the fall of man and God's curse.
Key Takeaways
• The chapter details the first biblical covenant (the Adamic Covenant) and God's curses on the serpent, Eve, and Adam after their sin
• God promises eventual redemption through the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head (a prophecy of Christ's victory)
• The ground is cursed, causing toil and hardship for man in his work and sustenance
• Man is barred from the Tree of Life, preventing him from living eternally in a cursed state
Topics
The Serpent's Curse
• The serpent is cursed above all animals to crawl on its belly and eat dust
• Enmity is established between the serpent and mankind
• The serpent will bruise the heel of the woman's seed (Christ), but Christ will crush the serpent's head
Eve's Curse
• Eve will experience increased pain in childbirth
• Her desire will be for her husband, but he will rule over her
• This represents the beginning of marital strife and power struggles between husbands and wives
Adam's Curse
• The ground is cursed, causing toil, thorns, thistles in man's labor to produce food
• Man will have to work hard and sweat to eat bread/food
• Physical death is introduced - man will return to the ground/dust
Expulsion from Eden
• God prevents Adam and Eve from eating the Tree of Life to avoid living eternally in a cursed state
• They are expelled from the Garden of Eden, blocked by cherubim with a flaming sword
Next Steps
Recognize the consequences of sin and man's fallen nature
Look forward to the promised Redeemer (Christ) who will defeat sin and Satan
Embrace the difficulties and hardships of life as part of the curse, yet have hope in God's redemptive plan