Genesis Essay, Research Paper

The problem of human imperfection and its relation to divine justice is a major theme in Genesis, the first chapter of the Bible. We can try to look at this problem through the eyes of humans or we can attempt to try to look through God?s point of view. God, who created the whole universe in 7 days would surely have a vastly different point of view than Adam, Eve, Noah, the Serpent, or anyone else. God?s retribution

There are many different situations in Genesis which humans, and non -humans, have gone against God?s will. The first being the Serpent?s temptation of Eve to eat off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Serpent was craftier than other wild animals. He told Eve that she will not die from eating from the tree. Instead her eyes would be opened and she will be like God, in that she will know the difference between good and evil.

Eve eats off this tree because ?It was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desired to make one wise.? She gave some to her husband Adam. After eating from the tree they see they are naked, and they are ashamed. They made loin clothes from fig leafs to cover up. God sees they are ashamed of their nudity. Before they did not know better, they did not know it was bad to walk around naked. Eating off this tree has changed them.

As punishment God tells Eve child- bearing will now be extremely painful. Also women will be ruled over. To the serpent God says he and all other snakes will lie on the bellies forever. And to Eve he says that man will have to labor ? By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground.? Genesis 3:19. God made Adam from dust, and breathed life into him. Now he will have to labor until he returns to the ground.