Thursday 28 September 2023

Psalm 126

Background

This must be one of the most widely known Bible stories among those who never read the Bible. Its purpose is to offer an answer to the universal question of what’s wrong with the world. Chapter 1 of Genesis repeatedly (see particularly v. 31) claims that everything God created was good, so how did the things we consider evil come about? The answer is that humans disobeyed a clear command God had given; it is found in Genesis 2:16-17, namely that the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil must not be eaten, for eating it will bring death.

Speaking animals are a common feature of stories and fables that are constructed to explain how things come to be as they are, or to convey a moral message. They function to help interpret inner thoughts or internal conversations that humans may have. Some readers will prefer to believe this is a true story, but whichever the approach the same message can be learned. The serpent (v. 1) is not referred to as Satan; the two pieces of information given are that it is the most cunning of the animals, and that it was made by God.

The serpent’s temptation is addressed to the woman, but throughout verses 1-5 'you' is in the plural, so she is speaking for them both, which is further implied by Adam sharing with her in the eating of the fruit. Eating it brings them knowledge. But it is not the kind of godly wisdom they hoped for, rather the realisation that they were naked, with the result that they try to hide their bodies from each other and themselves from God. When God questions the man he blames the woman, and she in turn blames the serpent. God declares negative consequences for humanity resulting from their disobedience which will affect our relating to each other, to the animal kingdom, and to the land. Yet the passage ends positively both with the man naming his wife Eve because she will be the mother of all living persons, and with God providing a more enduring solution to their nakedness than their own efforts did.

To Ponder:

•  Do you recognise a common pattern as to how temptation can arise for you within the dialogue between the serpent and the woman, and her assessment of her choice?
• How satisfactory do you find this passage as an explanation of why life can sometimes be hard and tough?
• Verse 16 says that the woman’s “desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you”. How do we deal with such an uncomfortable text now that society legislates to endorse the equality of women and men? 

Prayer

Dear Father, help me see clearly whenever I am facing temptation, and give me grace to delight in doing at all times what I know to be right. Amen.