Thursday 24 September 2026
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. (v. 6)
Background
We have been reading the book of Genesis this week and we have skipped chapter 2. But it’s useful to have a recap: Genesis 2 begins by concluding the first creation story with God resting on the seventh day (making the whole story like a parable of a working week, Genesis 2:1-4). It then begins another perspective on the creation, with a particular focus on human beings, telling the origin of our relationship with other humans and with God. In Genesis 2:4-25, we are introduced to the first human – made from the dust of the earth and given life by the breath of God. His name is Adam, but this Hebrew word also more generally means ‘human’ or ‘mankind’.
This ancient story tells us that the first human was in need of a companion, so after creating every other animal, and presenting them to the human and letting him name them, God decided to make something closer in design: from the man came woman – not as an inferior or subordinate, but as a complementary being to help the man complete the work. In this story, the work of humankind is not to dominate, but to serve the Earth (not to be kings, but gardeners!) – see Genesis 2:15.
The location is Eden, which means ‘delight’ in Hebrew. We are given an enigmatic description of its location (2:10-14), it's somewhere in the Middle East, probably Mesopotamia (Iraq). The word Eden also means ‘luxury’, which is ironic to our way of thinking because life in the garden was simplicity itself. They would serve the Earth, and the Earth would provide for all their needs. They were naked, but not ashamed (v. 25). In other words, their poverty didn’t bother them!
So we come to the two special trees in the middle of the garden: the Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (2:9). All the other trees were for their pleasure and nutrition (2:16). The Tree of Life implied that eternal life was not already theirs by right. And the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil – what we might call ‘wisdom’ – was forbidden to them. Both of these things together would have made them rather like God. In other words, although Adam and Eve needed wisdom, it was not theirs to snatch. It is a gift that should only be bestowed by God. If you snatch it in an act of disobedience, you have in doing so already failed in your attempt to be godly. (I’m indebted to John Goldingay for this and several of the insights in these chapters, from his book Genesis for Everyone, Part 1.)
Of course what happens when something is forbidden? It becomes irresistible! A talking serpent appears in this story as a representation of what? Free will, temptation, the devil, Satan, evil personified...? Whatever it is, its subtle questioning and accusing is a familiar voice in our human experience. It questions the commandment and motivation of God. It threatens to undermine the relationship between God and humans. Whatever the serpent is, it’s not a force for good.
By this part of the story, the woman has taken centre stage, and her instinct to share and provide for her partner causes what is often known as ‘The Fall’ (as a result of disobeying God Adam and Eve bring sin and death into the world).
Is this a true story? When a story contains so much truth; when it has endured thousands of years with such a powerful message still relevant today, to try to answer that question rationally would be to treat it as a mere news report or historical essay. But this is far more important! It deserves to be handled with far more care and respect.
To Ponder:
- What do you make of these stories of human beginnings? How do they shape and inform our worship, or our view of life?
- How important is this story of disobedience in your understanding of our relationship with God? When do you hear the voice of ‘the snake’ in your life? Where might you instead find wisdom and hope?
- Where for you is like Eden – a place of simplicity and delight?
Bible notes author: The Revd Andrew Murphy
Andrew is a Methodist presbyter in the East Mercia Circuit, and currently the minister of the churches of Market Harborough, Kibworth and Rothwell, and part of the ministry team at St Giles, Desborough. He is married to Emily, with two children. He has been in the ministry for 18 years, previously serving in the Hinckley Circuit. He trained at the Wesley Study Centre in Durham, is a published hymn writer, supports Newcastle United FC, and is proud of his roots in Consett, County Durham.