_Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field_ THE FIRST GREAT TEMPTATION I. THAT THE HUMAN SOUL IS FREQUENTLY TEMPTED BY A DIRE FOE OF UNUSUAL SUBTLETY. 1. The tempter of human souls is subtle. 2. Malignant. 3. Courageous. II. THAT THE TEMPTER SEERS TO ENGAGE THE HUMAN SOUL IN... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked_ THE DAWN OF GUILT I. A CONSCIOUS LOSS OF RECTITUDE. Moral nudity (Revelation 3:17). 1. They deeply felt it. 2. They sought to conceal it. II. AN ALARMING DREAD OF GOD. 1. This was unnatural. 2. Irrational. 3. Fruitless.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They heard the voice of the Lord God_ GOD’S VOICE IN NATURE Whether their ears as well as their hearts heard God’s voice does not much matter. It would have mattered if their ears and not their hearts had heard. They doubtless often heard Him in the evening hour--the twilight which all the faith... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where art thou?_ GOD’S QUESTION I. The speaker is God; the person spoken to is the representative of us all. II. The call is-- 1. Individual. 2. Universal. III. God calls in three ways. 1. In conscience. 2. In providence. 3. In revelation. IV. His call is-- 1. To attention. 2. To recogn... [ Continue Reading ]
_What is this that thou hast done?_ THE GENERAL RESULTS OF THE FALL I. ETERNAL ENMITY BETWEEN SATAN AND HUMANITY (Genesis 3:14). 1. This curse was uttered in reference to Satan. 2. This address is different from that made to Adam and Eve. 3. There was to commence a severe enmity and conflict be... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon thy belly shalt thou go_ THE DIVINE SENTENCE ON THE SERPENT 1. I lay down the position that no punishment in the way of physical degradation was inflicted by God in His sentence upon the serpent tribe. No doubt this idea has been held by most of those in past days who knew very little of na... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will put enmity between thee and the woman_ THE BELIEVER’S CONFLICT WITH SATAN I. THAT THERE IS A CONTINUAL CONFLICT BETWEEN SATAN AND EVERY BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST, WHOM HE REPRESENTED IN THE FIRST PROMISE, ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE AND GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD. II. In that stern combat which th... [ Continue Reading ]
_In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children_ MOTHERHOOD A BLESSING AND AN EDUCATION I. IN MATERNITY A WOMAN COMPLETES HER NATURE. Every sorrow of body or soul is made into a new thread in the web of affection which she weaves round the life of the child for whom she suffers. II. SHE HAS ANOTHER BL... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cursed is the ground for thy sake_ A CURSE WHICH PROVES A BLESSING This was almost the first curse revealed to us as pronounced by God, and yet it is almost the first blessing. I. AT FIRST SIGHT WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO ADMIT THAT LABOUR IS A BLESSING. We shrink from the misery of task work which... [ Continue Reading ]
_Adam called his wife’s name live_ MAN’S UNDYING HOPE Consider that aspect of this terrible calamity which is afforded us in the action of Adam. It is clear that he understood what was involved in the act he had just committed. Scarcely are the words uttered by God, “In the sweat of thy face shalt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil_ MAN’S GAIN THROUGH LOSS I. Consider SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF THE FALL, as they are suggested in the statements of this narrative. You have here, then, four facts. We shall adopt the order of their logical relation rather than that of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_So He drove out the man_ MAN’S EXPULSION FROM EDEN Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden teaches-- I. THAT WHEN COMFORTS ARE LIKELY TO BE ABUSED, GOD SENDS MEN FROM THEM. There was danger lest Adam should put forth his hand and eat of the “tree of life” and live forever. The fallen man must not be... [ Continue Reading ]