Hope In The Midst Of Failure

 Adam and Eve: Hope in the Midst of Failure 

Read: Genesis 1.26–31, 2.15–17, 3.1–24 

You’re likely all too familiar with the expectation to follow rules. You’re expected to follow the rules of your parents, your teachers, and your bosses. And while it might be hard to believe, required obedience doesn’t disappear outside of home, school or work. Everyone everywhere has rules or laws they’re expected to obey and consequences to face if they fail to do so. This has been true for every human who has ever lived, even for Adam and Eve. Their story teaches us about the connection between obedience and trust, and most importantly, it shows us the hope we can have in God and His trustworthiness, even when we fail to obey. 

Meet Adam and Eve 

As we read the Creation story in Genesis, we see that humans, specifically, Adam and Eve, are God’s final work of creation. Of all the things God creates in the beginning, plants, animals, oceans, stars, these humans are set apart as the one thing created in God’s image (Genesis 1.27). This means they share qualities with God, and because of these qualities, they are given a job to do. 

They are to care for and rule over the rest of creation as the hands and feet of God. They are told to plant things and create things, to have children, and to make the earth their home. It’s a wonderful job, and only humans, God’s image-bearers, can fulfil this task. But God gives them just one condition, “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die” (Genesis 2.17). Simple enough, right? Do not eat the fruit. All they have to do to continue to live in this good garden is obey their Creator. 

The thing about obedience, though, is that it requires trust. If we are to obey someone, we first have to trust them, and they must be trustworthy. Nobody wants to do what an untrustworthy person asks of them. When a mean older sibling or a bully at school tells you to stick your finger in an electrical outlet or lick a battery, you’d be wise not to listen. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to trust people who really are supposed to be trustworthy, people like teachers or parents. These people most often have your best interest in mind and want good things for you, but there’s often a voice in your head causing you to question their goodness, I don’t really have to do my homework to be able to do well on my test. It’s not really dangerous to text and drive. 

The serpent in the garden functions just like that voice in your head, Did God really say not to eat the fruit? No, you will not really die (Genesis 3.1, 4, paraphrased). And just like that, Eve no longer trusts the words of God. She looks at the fruit and wants its goodness more than the goodness of God Himself. Then she turns to her husband, Adam, who was with her the whole time and also heard the words of the serpent. And Adam, too, takes the fruit and eats it. 

God announces the consequences of their actions, which will affect all of humanity thereafter. Every part of their life becomes difficult and is tainted by pain, sin, and death. And worst of all, because they have lost their place in the garden, they have lost their access to the Tree of Life, and they will certainly die (Genesis 2.17, 3.22–23). 

Adam and Eve and Advent 

In the same breath that God announces the consequences for Adam and Eve’s sin (Genesis 3:16–19), He also offers hope. Though the serpent will continue roaming the earth and sin will continue dwelling in the hearts of humanity, we see that God will one day send a human Redeemer who will defeat the serpent and restore peace between humanity and God (Genesis 3.15). 

This is the first mention of Jesus Christ, whose birth would institute the beginning of the original Advent season. Adam and Eve left the garden, and humanity looked forward with hope to the arrival, to the advent, of that promised Saviour. It is the fulfillment of this hope that we celebrate during Advent. God is indeed trustworthy. He did send this Redeemer, His own Son, to defeat the serpent. 

What Does This Mean for Me? 

When reading this story of sin entering the world, it’s tempting to throw accusations at Adam and Eve. Deep down, however, we all know we would have done the same thing. In fact, we do the same thing everyday. We know God’s commands, yet we don’t always trust and obey. But like Adam and Eve, we can have hope in spite of our disobedience. 

We read in 1 John 1.9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus was born all those years ago so that He could take the consequences of our disobedience if we confess our sins and place our faith in Him. God proved His trustworthiness when He sent Jesus, and this trustworthiness is what gives us hope, even when we fail. Application Questions 

In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust and obey God’s commands? 

How does God’s promise of forgiveness offer you hope in those struggles?

What other effects of sin have you experienced in your life? 

Pray and confess any disobedience to God and thank Him for sending Jesus to take the consequences of your sin.