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The Predicament of Our First Parents
This chapter is based on Genesis 3.
No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven, Satan found a
new field in plotting the ruin of the human race. Moved by envy, he
determined to bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin. He would
change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to criticism of
their Maker. Thus he would not only plunge these innocent beings
into misery but cast dishonor upon God, and cause grief in heaven.
Heavenly messengers opened to our first parents the history of
Satan’s fall and his plots for their destruction, unfolding the nature of
the divine government that the prince of evil was trying to overthrow.
The law of God is a revelation of His will, a transcript of His
character, the expression of divine love and wisdom. The harmony of
creation depends upon perfect conformity to the law of the Creator.
Everything is under fixed laws that cannot be disregarded. But
human beings alone, of all that inhabits the earth, are responsible to
moral law. To them God has given power to understand the justice
and goodness of His law, and of them unswerving obedience is
required.
Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been given time to
show what they would do. They could obey and live, or disobey and
perish. He who did not spare the angels that sinned could not spare
them; transgression would bring upon them misery and ruin.
The angels warned them to be on guard against the schemes of
Satan. If they firmly resisted his first subtle enticings, they would
be safe. But if they once yielded to temptation, their nature would
become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power
and no inclination to resist Satan.
The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their obedience
and love to God. If they should disregard His will in this particular,
they would be guilty. Satan was not to follow them with continual
temptations; he could have access to them only at the forbidden tree.
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