Reading 3 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Tuesday, September 16, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Genesis 3:1–13

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 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. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” (NRSVUE)

Reflection

Although our understanding of Genesis 3 has been dominated by Augustine’s concept of “Original Sin” (humanity’s sinful nature stems from this act of disobedience), it should be noted that is far from the only way to interpret this text. The punishments that Adam, Eve, and the serpent subsequently receive are, on their most basic level, meant to serve as explanations to readers about why things are the way they are. 

Other ancient interpreters have viewed this text as a symbol for the capacity for good and evil, or faithfulness and disobedience, that exists within us all. Yet perhaps the most telling statement comes from verse 5, as the snake appeals to Eve by telling her “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  

From the opening chapter of Genesis, when we are told human beings were “made in the image of God,” to the temptation of Adam and Eve in this passage, or the Tower of Babel that will conclude the “prehistory” section of Genesis — over and over we see human beings struggle with their desire to be in control, to have authority, and to be God. 

We’ll see this struggle repeatedly throughout this 100 passages series — and it certainly continues to be a struggle for us today. We want to be in control. We want the assurance of knowing what is to come. Yet as most of us are all too aware, we are not God. Things frequently are out of our control, and there are few guarantees in this life. 

Acknowledging this truth is foundational to our faith because it teaches us to rely less on ourselves and instead to rely on God. Yet there’s so often a piece of us that resists that reality still. So may we be challenged not only to own it but be inspired by it — letting go of our desire to be God, in order that we might better follow God.

Prayer

Eternal God, help me recognize those times when I put more faith in my own way than that of yours — and teach me what it means to better follow you. Amen.

Written by Matt Helms, Associate Pastor

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email