Meeting God in the cool of the day

God made man in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27). God gave Adam clear instructions regarding the Garden of Eden, in which he placed him.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (Genesis 2:16-17).

These verses show God made man with the freedom to make decisions. God may have given man the freedom to choose so that he could know what was in his heart. We know that is what he did with the children of Israel in the wilderness.

“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Choosing to go against the will of God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil would result in death. This describes a sudden, violent death as punishment for violating God’s will. Other verses use the same word (Exodus 19:12; 31:15; Leviticus 20:10, 2, 13; Numbers 35:16; 1 Samuel 14:38-39; 2 Kings 1:16; Isaiah 38:1; Jeremiah 26:8). The man who violated the Sabbath law was immediately stoned to death, demonstrating the meaning of the death described (Numbers 15:32-36).

The serpent came to Eve asking an insinuating question designed to cause her to question whether God meant what he said (Genesis 3:1-3). He also implied God was treating her unfairly, focusing on God’s prohibition without mentioning his lavish provisions. Satan also smuggled in the idea that God’s instructions are subject to our judgment. He failed to mention that keeping the command would allow ongoing fellowship between God and man (Michael Whitworth, Epic of God).

The serpent’s next statements reflected upon the goodness of God by saying he kept something good from them (Genesis 3:4-5). We must know that God is good and loving (Psalm 135:1; Matthew 7:7-11; John 3:16; Romans 8:31-32). Satan changed God’s command by adding just one word, not. He told a partial truth, as even God observes they became like him in knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:7, 22). Ultimately, he seduced man into believing he would not be punished for sin.

Eve succumbed to the lust of the flesh, or an uncontrolled appetite of the body, when she saw the tree was good for food (Genesis 3:6). Her lust was excited by the pleasantness of the fruit to the eye. Her lusty pride was enlivened by thinking it was desirable to make one wise (1 John 2:15-17).

Eve ate and gave to Adam, who was with her. They were ashamed, innocence now shattered (Genesis 6-8; 2:25). The Creator came in the cool of the day and called out for Adam. They tried to hide, but failed. God asked, “What is this you have done?” (Genesis 3:9-11). Then, each tried to put the blame on someone, or something, else (Genesis 3:12-13). All, including the serpent, were punished (Genesis 3:14-19). Fellowship with God was broken (Genesis 3:22-24).

Man ate, but did not die because God interposed the sudden, violent, punishing death of his Son on Calvary’s tree (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8)! All men unconditionally received the sentence of death because of Adam (Romans 5:12). All regained life unconditionally through Christ when he conquered the grave.

The eternal life in heaven we so deeply desire is also available to those who will be buried with him in baptism (Romans 6:3-4, 23).