Chapter 3—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 reproaches
against 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 which 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, which cannot be disregarded. But man
alone, of all that inhabits the earth, is amenable to moral law. To man,
God has given power to comprehend the justice and beneficence of
His law, and of man unswerving obedience is required.
Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon proba-
tion. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish. He who spared
not 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 devices of
Satan. If they steadfastly repelled his first insinuations, they would be
secure. But should they once yield to temptation, their nature would
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become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power, and
no disposition, 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 incur guilt. Satan was not to follow them with continual
temptations; he could have access to them only at the forbidden tree.
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