In the first two chapters of Genesis, we see three main themes emerge: God, man, and land. In Genesis 3, we are introduced to another theme that will run throughout Scripture: sin. Sin rejects dependency on God and seeks autonomy. When we choose disobedience, consequences follow and result in change.

1. The choice is always ours. [3:1-7]

The devil does not make us do anything. He entices and tempts and distorts and lies, but we choose. Eve listens to these lies and chooses to believe that she knows her needs better than God does. Adam and Eve thought that if they disobeyed God they would be more like Him, forgetting they had already been made in His image. [1:27]

2. There are always consequences to our actions. [3:8-20]

God asks them what happened, not in order to find out the truth (since He already knew it), but to set the scene for the coming consequences. God cannot overlook sin or diminish its effects. One consequence of Adam and Eve's choice is perpetual conflict between God's children and the world. And note that the wages of sin is death, just as God said it would be. Did God really say? Yes, He did.

3. Change is associated with decisions. [3:21-24]

The change in Genesis 3 ultimately required the resurrection to overcome it. This change will, ironically, bring about another change that will lead to life. God banishes humanity in order to spare them from eternity in a sinful state, but in the new age to come, we will be invited to eat from the tree of life eternally!