Basic HTML Version
Temptation and Fall
31
Satan exulted in his success. He had now tempted the woman to
distrust God, to question His wisdom, and to seek to penetrate His
all-wise plans. And through her he had also caused the overthrow
of Adam, who, in consequence of his love for Eve, disobeyed the
command of God and fell with her.
[39]
The news of man’s fall spread through heaven—every harp was
hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow.
All heaven was in agitation. The angels were grieved at the base
ingratitude of man in return for the rich bounties God had provided.
A council was held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair.
The angels feared that they would put forth the hand and eat of the
tree of life, and thus perpetuate a life of sin.
The Lord visited Adam and Eve, and made known to them the
consequence of their disobedience. As they heard God’s majestic
approach they sought to hide themselves from His inspection, whom
they delighted, while in their innocence and holiness, to meet. “And
the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told
Thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I
commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” This question was
asked by the Lord, not because He needed information, but for the
conviction of the guilty pair. How didst thou become ashamed and
fearful? Adam acknowledged his transgression, not because he was
penitent for his great disobedience, but to cast reflection upon God.
“The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the
tree, and I did eat.” The woman was then addressed: “What is this
that thou hast done?” Eve answered, “The serpent beguiled me, and
I did eat.”
The Curse
The Lord then addressed the serpent: “Because thou hast done
this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the
field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the
[40]
days of thy life.” As the serpent had been exalted above the beasts
of the field, he should be degraded beneath them all, and be detested
by man, inasmuch as he was the medium through which Satan acted.