It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

The First Family:  Summary

As we conclude the study of the true "first" family, and the sins committed by them against God, sins that ranged all the way from believing a lie to murder, let's notice God's pronouncement of judgment against them.

In the last part of verse 11 of Genesis 3, God asked Adam the third of the three questions, recorded in verses 9-11. The first question was "Where art thou?" The second was "Who told thee thou wast naked?" God had not told Adam and Eve not to play hide and seek. He had not told them they should not be naked. But notice the third question: "Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" Now, we see the example of human nature: 1-The woman did it; 2-The serpent did it.

We can know the serpent (Satan) knew what God had commanded Adam. In Genesis 3:1b, he states, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" We find here something we must always keep in mind: Satan knows God's law.

Our last study included Cain and Abel, and the murder of Abel by Cain. These two men had worshipped God, but Cain's offering was rejected, while Abel's offering was accepted. Another son, Seth, was born to Adam and Eve, and Eve was pleased that God had blessed her with another son after the death of Abel (Genesis 4:25). Then, it is recorded that Seth had a son whom he named Enos. About Enos, this statement is made: "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord."

As the case is today, so it was then. It is good to know that men began to call upon the name of the Lord, but it is sad to see that man turned away from God. In Genesis 6:5-7, notice: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

In our next lesson we will notice Noah. Before going into that study, do this: 1-from Genesis 5:1-32, find how long it was from Adam's creation to the birth of Enos, when men began to call upon the name of the Lord; and 2-how long it was from that time until it repented God that He had made man (Genesis 6:1-7).