It would logically follow that in the Fall man would bear God’s greatest wrath for his transgression into sin and corruption. However, despite the fact that the penalty is severe for man the Fall proves to be an instance in Scripture where God demonstrates His graciousness. Genesis 3 illustrates that in all things God loves mankind and will use His sovereignty to provide for man and reconcile him unto Himself.
God’s graciousness is first demonstrated in His command forbidding Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the first two chapters of the Creation account the reader becomes well aware of God’s wisdom and love for man. These two attributes are most illustrated in His provisions for man. God blesses man and grants him dominion and authority over the rest of Creation (Gen. 1:28.) He fashions the Garden as a paradise and refuge for Adam (Gen. 2:15). Furthermore, God provides man a mate because He sees it is not good for Adam to be alone (Gen. 2:18). The Scriptures put forth very clearly the fact that God actively loves and provides for man. There is no reason to believe, therefore, that God would do anything or say anything that would not be for the utmost good and blessing of man.
In this context one can read God’s graciousness in forbidding Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree. God knows that by eating the fruit of the Tree man would no longer be able to live in communion with Him. It would be contrary to God’s nature, in fact, to allow man to wander into transgression and death without warning him and barring the way. Even the serpent attests that, “God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened,” (Gen. 3:5). It is not that God is keeping this knowledge from Adam and Eve but rather is keeping this knowledge for them.
Second, the text illustrates God’s graciousness in the manner that God calls out to man (Gen. 3:9). Though Adam and Eve have sinned and directly challenged God’s authority He does not leave them entirely. Omniscient and fully aware of all that has partaken He questions man, and does so patiently, so as to allow Adam and Eve to understand by their own admission their guilt and transgression. A repentant soul is the first requirement for reconciliation as God demonstrates His graciousness in that He does not accept their excuses but forces Adam and Eve to recognize their sin (v. 11).
Even after their admission and punishment God continues to protect and provide for man. Verse 21 states, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” Just as He had placed them in the Garden for their protection, He also kills an innocent animal in order to provide for helpless man. Despite their trespass and defiance God does not smite them and leave them to helplessly provide for themselves. His graciousness may be further witnesses simply in the fact that He does not kill them physically but allows Adam and Eve to continue to live so that they may be ultimately reconciled back unto God. By their own actions Adam and Eve incurred spiritual death and isolation from God yet Genesis 3 clearly demonstrates the extent by which God acts in order to save them.
Though on first glance it may not seem so, God is gracious in that He expels Adam and Eve from the Garden. Even though in Paradise the Garden was intended to be a refuge and source of life and blessing for man, after the Fall Eden becomes the potential source for man’s eternal damnation. God recognizes that if Adam and Eve eat of the Tree of Life then their bodies will become immortal, forever trapping them in their current damned state. In verse 22 God therefore casts Adam and Eve from the Garden so that they will not eat of the Tree of Life and will still be capable of saving. Just as His commands demonstrate His ultimate love and wisdom for mankind, so, too, does His expulsion illustrate His infinite wisdom and dedication to the reconciliation and salvation of man.
God’s most gracious act in the Fall, however, lies in the self-bearing curse He takes on in verse 15. Both Adam and Eve are punished as reminders of their sin yet neither curse can reconcile them to God. Death must be conquered and man’s iniquity must be atoned for. Only through His direct action and sacrifice can salvation come about and Satan be bound and defeated. God first binds Satan with the curse of his impending doom. The serpent is cursed to crawl on his belly and eat dust as a sign of his total defeat (v. 14). However, before Satan is totally cast into Hell, God states that he will be used to bring about man’s salvation.
God promises a saviour through Eve in the form of her seed. Though He will crush Satan’s head and defeat death, He will have to die and incur man’s punishment in order to do so. The verse foretells of the suffering that the Messiah must endure to atone for man’s sin. However, it is important to keep in mind that victory will belong to the seed of Eve and that sin will be overcome. What remains astounding in Genesis 3 is that God places the harshest of the curses upon Himself. The reference to Eve’s seed clearly points to the Incarnation. Because of his now corrupt nature man cannot save himself necessitating that while Eve’s seed must be human in order to redeem mankind He must also be God in order to save. God’s graciousness abounds in that at the moment of man’s Fall God is entirely focused and already making provision to incur man’s ultimate curse upon Himself.
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