Women of Note in the Old Testament
19
herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Without a fear she
plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she became
the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of
strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden
fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred.
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam. He appeared
astonished and alarmed. To the words of Eve he replied that this must
be the foe against whom they had been warned; and by the divine
sentence she must die. In answer she urged him to eat, repeating the
words of the serpent, that they should not surely die. She reasoned that
this must be true, for she felt no evidence of God’s displeasure, but on
the contrary realized a delicious, exhilarating influence, thrilling every
faculty with new life, such, she imagined, as inspired the heavenly
messengers.
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the com-
mand of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test
of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He
mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now
the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had
[25]
been his joy. How could he have it thus? ...
He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with
her. After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent
be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent
as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him
than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave
the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate.—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 44-57 (1890)
.
Had Adam and Eve never disobeyed their Creator, had they re-
mained in the path of perfect rectitude, they could have known and
understood God. But when they listened to the voice of the tempter,
and sinned against God, the light of the garments of heavenly in-
nocence departed from them; and in parting with the garments of
innocence, they drew about them the dark robes of ignorance of God.
The clear and perfect light that had hitherto surrounded them had light-
ened everything they approached; but deprived of that heavenly light,
the posterity of Adam could no longer trace the character of God in
His created works.—
The Review and Herald, November 8, 1898
.