Basic Bible Course 3

Everything God made was "very good". Unfortunately, it did not stay this way. Man became disobedient to his Creator. Every injustice in the world like lies, hatred, theft, murder etc. is the consequence of this fall into sin. But that's not all, all suffering such as disease, hunger, death can be attributed to the fall into sin.

One might ask: "Why did God create man in such a way that he can sin?"

This question touches on the sovereignty of God. God could have created man as a kind of automaton that automatically carries out his will. But He has given him a will of his own. This is related to the fact that man was created in the image of God and according to His likeness. The commandment not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not a bothersome rule, but served to show Adam that he was obliged to obey his Creator.

Without questioning the reason, Adam had to acknowledge God as sovereign. If he did not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he would do good, and that meant blessings and happiness for him. Conversely, Adam could acknowledge that eating was "evil" and resulted in death. Unfortunately, Adam failed as God's representative on earth. He became disobedient. In this way, sin came into the world - with all its terrible consequences.

Satan used the serpent to tempt mankind. What names does this adversary of God carry and where can these terms be found?

What two lies does Satan use?

Instead of rejecting the snake (see Genesis 3:2-3), Eve negotiates with Satan and thus her fall begins.

In contrast, what can we learn from a young man in Genesis 39?