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Genesis 3:7 -3:24
Welcome
back to our study in Genesis. In the last Letter we learned that Satan is that 'old
serpent' in the Garden of Eden who 'wholly seduced' Eve. Also, we haven't
seen the word 'apple' written yet in The King James, nor is it in the Hebrew Manuscripts.
That word 'apple' is man's supposition based on 'the fruit of this tree of the knowledge
of good and evil', which Eve ate from, and also did Adam with her. If you'll go back to my
Genesis 1:26-2:9 study, I gave many Scripture references at the
end in order to help the student in understanding how God's Word uses 'trees' as an
analogy for people, including God Himself, His People, and Satan. Grasping this analogy of
the 'tree' is very important at this stage here in Genesis, for without fully
understanding that this 'tree of knowledge of good and evil' here in God's Garden is
Satan, you won't get the full meaning of what is to follow.
Just the common sense fact that real trees out in the
woods contain no knowledge of good and evil should make you suspect God is talking about
something much deeper. This is one of the most important teachings in The Word which
begins to reveal 'the mystery of iniquity' cited in 2 Thess.2:7. It is not a
'mystery' to those whom God has opened this message to. If you can't quite get the full
'gist' or idea of it, don't be too concerned about it, and press on. Pray to God through
His Son Jesus Christ for guidance and understanding in sincerity, and through study in The
Word you will eventually come to know.
We learned also that Satan and Eve misquoted God about His
command against partaking of this particular 'tree' in the midst of the Garden. That is
very important to understand also, for by studying God's Word, this is how we know when
we're being told the truth or not when some man comes claiming to be a teacher 'sent' of
our Father. Satan also lied to Eve about becoming a 'god' with her eyes being opened in
Gen.3:5, which in reality, when that word 'tree' is properly translated from the Hebrew,
it means a literal 'closing of the eyes', i.e., a state of confusion. We left off with Eve
being 'seduced' by the appearance of this tree and its fruit, then she and Adam partook of
that 'tree of knowledge of good and evil'. We ask a word of Wisdom from our
Father in Christ's Name, Amen.
Gen
3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
This phrase 'were opened' is the Hebrew word 'paqach'
and means 'to open, (the senses, especially the eyes)' (Strong's no.6491). This
act literally opened the 'senses' of Eve and Adam concerning the differences between evil,
which they just partook of, and good. They lost their innocence which God gave them by His
putting them in His Garden or Paradise without any sin. This is shown by their sudden
discovery of their 'nakedness'. Well if they were truly naked before this act, and were
not aware of it, what was the difference between these two states of mind? In other words,
what thought or idea from their actions made their thinking different?
Let's reason a little. Knowledge is the answer to the above.
When Adam and Eve were in this pure state of innocence before the sin, they were provided
for by our Heavenly Father. They were in need of Him (as we all still are), and
everything for their existence was provided for them, much as the Good Shepherd provides
and cares for His sheep. Sheep are innocent, with no worldly knowledge, in this analogy.
Therefore, the sheep listen to the Voice of their Master, heed and recognize only Him. (I
hope you're getting this 'double' analogy, for Christ is The Good Shepherd and those who
follow Him are His sheep. [Matt.9:36; 10:6; 15:24; 25:32-33; John 10] ).
Here's the 'key'. For Satan to change this pure state of
'grace' which Adam and Eve had as a gift from God, he needed to cause an experience in
Adam and Eve's mind that would impart this worldly knowledge to them, removing that
innocence. It is this 'innocent' state which God wants us to return to in
following Him and no other. In return, He promises to care for us, direct and guide us,
heal our 'splinters' and most of all, love us. That is the True Treasure Jesus taught of
in His Gospel, a Treasure which can't be bought, and is not of this world of evil. Well,
what's the other choice? The other 'path' is to follow Satan, picking up much worldly
knowledge, which must include all the evil knowledge too, and then at some point, become a
'god', knowing good and evil, which cannot happen, for there is only One God, YHVH (Isaiah
45:5). And of course in order to follow Satan, one would have to first deny Jehovah, and
worship Satan instead, which is exactly what Satan wants, to be worshipped as the only
god. This was Satan's purpose behind his rebellion in the first earth age, in the Garden
of Eden, and still today; and clearly God knew it then and now, for He had The Plan all
worked out before the setting up of this Garden of Eden. If you have your Holy Bible open
right now, you're looking at It.
What's this word 'aprons' and the significance of
the 'fig leaves'? The word 'aprons' is 'chagar' in Hebrew and
means 'to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)' (Strong's no.2296). This lets us know
that Adam and Eve were connecting this sin with Satan in more than one way than just the
mind, but in the flesh sense also. These 'aprons' covered their private parts.
Remember last Letter when I asked you to keep in mind two major but unrelated events in
God's Word, that of the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and the offspring of the
giant race through fallen angels mating with flesh woman? Well, that's what I'm talking
about here too, because this is what The Word is saying also. So it's not my ideas, but
the message within the Scriptures. If one can't handle it because the Truth is just too
much for virgin ears, then I suggest digging in God's Word more, and quit listening to the
old smoothies out there.
These 'aprons' of Adam and Eve were made from 'fig
leaves' as written in this verse of Gen.3:7. Do you remember Jesus teaching about the
'fig tree' in His Gospel, and about how He withered the 'fig tree'? (Matt.21:19). What
about where Christ said "...now learn a parable of the fig tree..."?
(Matt.24:32; Mark 13:28). Wow, if you really get to diggin', Jesus used a fig tree for
much of His teachings. Not only this, the analogy of a 'fig tree', 'fig leaves', and
'figs' carry all throughout God's Word. Here in Genesis 3:7 we have the first mention of
the 'fig' parable, or analogy with these 'aprons' of 'fig leaves'. By
studying more about this analogy dealing with the 'fig tree' you will really come to an
understanding about the meaning behind these 'aprons' of Adam and Eve, and the
result of this act that took place here in the Garden of Eden. We're going to discover
later in Genesis that this act produced a 'seed' of children that are of 'that old
serpent' (bad figs, similar to that fig tree which Jesus withered in Matt.21), and then
later, a good 'Seed' of the woman is produced by God through the true bloodline of Adam
and Eve (the good figs written in Jeremiah 24 and elsewhere which are God's People).
It's 'plough' time, and I'm not going to do it for
you. Here's several references to the 'fig tree' and 'figs'. Don't take these passages
lightly, for they help to unravel the 'parable of the fig tree' which Christ commanded all
Christians to learn in Matt.24 and Mark 13, especially the Scripture below in bold. Here's
the assignment. Don't make the mistake of thinking these Scriptures are only talking about
real orchards and vineyards in the physical; some of them may seem so, but each have a
spiritual meaning that explains two 'seeds' of children in the world: Judges 9:8-15;
Isaiah 34:1-5; Jeremiah 24; Hosea 9:8-10; Joel 1; Habakkuk 3:16-19; Matthew 7:16-20;
Matthew 21:19-22; Matthew 24; Mark 11:13-14; Luke 6:44; Luke 13:6-9; James 3:12; Rev.6:13.
Gen
3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool
of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst
the trees of the garden.
This word 'voice' is 'qowl' in Hebrew
meaning 'to call aloud, a voice or sound' (Strong's no. 6963). Adam and Eve hid
from God's Presence in the Garden because they had disobeyed Him.
Gen
3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, "Where art
thou?"
10 And he said, "I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked; and I hid myself."
11 And He said, "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast
thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"
12 And the man said, "The woman whom Thou gavest to be
with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."
This hiding from God is kind of like the hiding in the
clefts of the rocks which those who are 'ashamed' do when Christ returns on the second
Advent isn't it? (See Rev.6:16; Isaiah 2; Obadiah 1; Micah 7:17). In Jesus Christ there is
no shame. God is our Rock and Salvation.
Notice how Adam is kind of trying to put this sin off on the
woman. He partook also along with Eve.
Gen
3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, "What is this that
thou hast done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did
eat."
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent,
"Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above
every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the
days of thy life:
This cursing of 'upon thy belly' is a figure of
speech similar to Ps.44:25, 72:9, Isaiah 29:4. Remember, this is not a literal snake, but
it is Satan who God is talking to.
Gen
3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy
seed and her Seed; It shall
bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel."
Very important verse. Don't miss the capitals in this verse
either. This is the first prophecy given by God dealing with the 'Seed' of the 'woman',
meaning the bloodline chosen 'Seed' which would come from this 'eth Ha'adham'
(the Adam) and his wife Eve, which is also the 'Seed' from which Christ would be
born from. Satan knew that Christ would come from this 'Seed' and he tried to
destroy it, here, and all throughout God's Word. The prophecy here is that 'thy seed'
in this verse, which is the 'seed of the serpent', i.e., Satan, would 'bruise' the 'heel'
of Christ on the cross, and Christ would bruise the serpent's 'head' with the brightness
of Christ's second coming (2 Thess.2; Rev.11:15), the time when all the kingdoms of this
world which now belong to Satan (Luke 4), will be claimed by our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, The KING of kings and LORD of lords. (See Romans 16:20; Isaiah 53:5; Rev.11:15).
Well what do you mean by children of the serpent, or devil?
Exactly that. It's not my teaching, it is God's Word! Still need more proof? Let's turn to
Matthew 13:
Matt
13:24 Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, "The kingdom of
heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares
among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also.
Here Jesus has just finished the 'parable of the sower',
which the meanings for 'sowing' and 'seed' in those previous parables at the start of this
Chapter 13, are all about 'sowing' the Word of God. That is the 'seed' which is
sown in those 'parables'. But here, starting at Matt.13:24, the subject changes with this 'parable
of the tares', and 'children' become the main subject. The idea of sowing 'seed' is
still used; but in a different way. This next 'parable' is not about 'sowing' The Word of
God, but actual 'children' instead. The 'man which sowed good seed in his field'
is Christ, that seed being sown at the beginning of this earth age, including the races of
'mankind' (Hebrew 'adam' without the article in Gen.1:26). That 'seed'
also includes the 'Seed' of the woman in Genesis 3:15, the Seed from
which Christ would be born from. The 'enemy' here who sowed 'tares'
among the good wheat, is the 'devil' (hang on, Jesus will confirm this later here
dealing with this parable).
It's important to know that real tares (zewan)
actually look like wheat, until fully grown. Then the 'tares' put forth black
buds or ends making them easy to recognize. This is horticulture, not heresy.
Matt
13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, 'Sir, didst
not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?'
28 He said unto them, 'An enemy hath done this.' The servants said unto
him, 'Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?'
29 But he said, 'Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also
the wheat with them.
Since
it's difficult to really point out one of these children of Satan ('tares'),
meaning one of God's own could be doing evil things by following Satan, Christ is really
telling us here, to leave them alone. In other words, hold to His Word and Law. You don't
have to put up with evil right in your backyard. But don't go out in the world like a
vigilante seeking these children out, for you might mistakenly get the good wheat that the
tares are mixed in with.
God said to have faith in Him, that He would never leave
or desert us; plus He gave His children power over the 'enemy' (Luke 10). The
Word is written, and that's how everything will happen. If you don't like this idea
because it may sound too confining for your 'personal' sense of freedom, equality,
liberty, and fraternity, then take it up with our Father Jehovah, and maybe He can help
you with it.
30
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn.''"
Now let's turn to Matthew 13:36 and listen to Jesus explaining
this parable:
Matt
13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house:
and His disciples came unto Him, saying, "Declare unto us the parable of the tares of
the field."
37 He answered and said unto them, "He that soweth the good
seed is the Son of man;
This
word 'seed' here is 'sperma' in the Greek by the way, as it is also back
in Matt.13:24 (Strong's no.4690). Who sowed the 'good seed'? The 'Son of Man'
which is another name for Jesus (John 8:28).
Matt
13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the
kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
The
'good seed' are God's children, those of bloodline Israel which accept Christ,
and all those Gentile, and even some of Satan's own (Kenites) who turn away from him and
believe on Christ as Savior. The chosen bloodline 'Seed' is according to the
election of birth; the latter is according to the election of grace (see Romans 8; 9; 10;
11). The 'tares' given in this verse are whose 'children'? From 'the
wicked one'. Well who is that?
Matt
13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the
harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
The
enemy who sowed these 'children of the wicked one' is the 'devil',
i.e., Satan, Lucifer, the 'dragon', 'the prince of the power of the air', Abaddon,
Apollyon, the 'son of perdition', 'the king and prince of Tyrus', 'the devil', 'Death',
the 'spoiler', the 'destroyer', the 'prince of this world', the 'Antichrist', etc. Hey,
this is Christ our Lord and Savior teaching here with this message. I'm just carrying It
forth. Take it up with Jesus Christ if any have a hard time accepting 'His
explanation' for what He is saying. Jesus even made sure His would understand
this message here later, because these two occurrences of the word 'seed' are
both, 'sperma' in the Greek. The other parables in this same Chapter do not use
those words in the Greek at all. Furthermore, this word for 'tares' (zizanion
in the Greek), occurs only in this 'parable of the tares' here in Matt.13. Nowhere else
in all of God's Word does it occur! That's another message to those with 'ears to
hear', showing that God locked this teaching of the 'children of the devil' here in the
original manuscript languages also. To top all of that, Jesus is here explaining to
His disciples the 'meaning' of the 'parable of the tares'; that is to say, He is here
beginning with Matt.13:36 revealing it fully, in private to His disciples, just as they
asked Him to reveal the full meaning to them. There is no other mystery or hidden meaning
to this parable. Either we accept His simple Truth or not.
Matt
13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so
shall it be in the end of this world.
When
is the 'end of this world'? Is it when Christ returns for His second Advent
to earth? No. Jesus just gave it to us right here in this verse. The 'end of this
world' coincides with the casting of the wicked into the 'lake of fire'. When does
that happen? At the end of God's Millennium reign (thousand years) on earth with His elect
(see Rev.20). That is when God's Eternity will be set up; Satan and his followers will not
be there, for the smoke of their burning will be the only thing showing that they ever
existed, period.
Matt
13:41 The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather
out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
This last verse of Matt.13:43 referring to those 'who hath
ears to hear, let him hear' means this is a private teaching, not everyone will
understand. If you do understand, then it's time to start doing some work in our Father's
service, because He didn't give It to you for nothing, or just to be entertaining, and let
His Truth go to waste. As one of the other parables here in Matt.13 is about those with
whom His Word finds fertile soil, they go out and produce good fruit (Matt.13:18-23).
Let's continue back in Genesis:
Gen
3:16 Unto the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to
thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."
17 And unto Adam He said, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the
voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, 'Thou
shalt not eat of it:' cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat
of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt
eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt
thou return."
No more easy living in the Garden for Adam and Eve. Paradise
is over. No more simple 'sheep' existence with plenty of leisure and food. The 'sheep' now
become lost in a sense, for they have lost their Good Shepherd, i.e., God. That old flesh
body is going back to dust when we put off this flesh, dust meaning into particles. It's
not going to be put back together, for the spiritual body is what leaves that old flesh (I
Cor.15; Eccl.12).
Gen
3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother
of all living.
Since this sin caused Adam and Eve to loose that first state
in the presence of God, Salvation through Jesus Christ became necessary for all. This is
why Eve would be called 'the mother of all living'; meaning that through Eve's
womb Christ would be born, fulfilling God's role as Savior, and thereby giving all The Way
to return unto Him, and have everlasting and eternal Life. Have you accepted Christ as
your Lord and Savior? For those having 'free will' today in the flesh, He is waiting for
you to 'return' unto Him.
Gen
3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and
clothed them.
God makes a covering for Adam and Eve verses the lower and
lesser covering of the apron of fig leaves. This word 'skins' is singular 'skin'
from a Massorah note.1 It is the Hebrew word 'owr'
meaning 'skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather', and it is from the root
word 'uwr' meaning 'to (be) bare' (Strong's nos. 5785 and 5783). In my
opinion, I believe this 'skin' has a deeper parallel meaning, which I will leave
up to the student to discover. Since it is very difficult to document from The Word, it is
better I leave it alone unless it is revealed further according to Holy Writ. If anyone
understands this 'skin' in another application other than animal leather hide,
and can document it from God's Word, I would be interested in hearing it.
Gen
3:22 And the LORD God said, "Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to
know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
life, and eat, and live for ever:-"
This
word 'take' is not the same word in Hebrew used of Eve's 'touch' dealing
with the 'tree of knowledge of good and evil'. This 'Tree of Life' represents God Himself,
as the role of Savior. Since Adam and Eve were there in God's Paradise, and also able to
'take' of this Tree of Life also, they had to go, for the Plan of Salvation was not yet.
Gen.3:23
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from
whence he was taken.
24 So He drove out the man; and He placed at
the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to
keep the way of the tree of life.
Notice God 'boots' out Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden
to till the ground elsewhere. This setting up of Cherubims to guard the Way of The Tree of
Life (Christ) is the separation between the flesh realm and the spiritual, God removing
His abode from Heaven on earth, to the Heaven of the second earth age, which is now. In
the Eternity, He will dwell on Mount Zion, back on earth (see Ezekiel 39 to end, and
Rev.20 - 22).
I hope this study has helped you in understanding the
why of much of the sad state of affairs upon the earth at this time. It is not a time to
give up hope, but for a time to put our trust in God, returning and seeking Him instead of
trying to satisfy the flesh appetites. God's Truth will make you have strength, if you
listen to our Father. Don't fear Satan, fear God, and that means with reverencing fear, as
we would show true respect to our Father, The Father of all souls.
Peace in Christ Jesus,
Dave Ramey.
Footnotes:
1 The
Companion Bible. Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI., 1990, p.8 and Ap.34.
All references to
"Strong's nos." are from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, PC Study
Bible, Biblesoft, 1993-1996.
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