The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-13

cence, and It proved to be the point OF
greatest weakness. Having failed in his at.
restrain man from wholesome food, the
tempter determined to make a bold attack
upon the one reason for refusing the fruit
missed the method Of question by which to
awaken reflection, and adopted the plan OF
positive assertion. He had the audacity to
the contradiction. By eating the forbidden
fruit man would become a god His eyes
would be open and his his knowledge increased
result would follow, and for that reason he
had commanded not to eat.
REFLECTIONS Verse 6)-Two opposing
shall be accepted as truthful? She might
have decided according to the credibiljty of
the speaker, the safer course In this in
stance She preferred to reason in the case
ard see which was me re probable. The sug-
gestion concerning Gods motive was SO
plausible that It may have inclined her to
this method. Her reflections were along a
natural order. l. The tree was good for
food. That was evident in the refusal TO
eat. But IL good for food. why was it put
there unless for food. The tree was pleas
ant to the eyes. There was nothing about
it repulsive. indicating that in itself 1t was
pernicious and Injurious. Its appearance
one wise" This was based or the assertion
Of the tempter. but there was no reason to
doubt 1t, because of the other two facts.
1HeS6 TeIleCtlOHS leu HeT away ITOul ucE
former position. She desired wisdom. and
felt that this was the way to obtain IT.
She ate and afterwards gave to her hus-
band and he ate Tim ii. ~
CONSEQUENCES Verses and Snow
It shall be known who was the wise and
friendly counsellor of Adam and Eve.
whether God sought their welfare or de-
erred to prevent them from entering high
er state. Three results came quickly. !.
Their eyes were opened. even as the tempt
er had said-they saw and knew what be-
that open vision everything appeared to be
changed. as Is evident in the other conse-
quences.. 2. They knew they were naked
powers and functions given by the Almighty
iGen., I, ~ were disturbed, made Gbnor-
NAL Gen. ii. 2S; the beginning Of the age
iens record Of shame 3 They heard d- Goo .han
had delighted in his presence and In his
speech. Now serse of guilt and i'll desert
| drove them from him. lisa. Xix, - iris
, There was probably nothing Objectionable
in the tree or its fruit. 1t was made the
test of obedience, the only possible test
| at that time. The reasoning of the woman
| was In the wrong direction. She should have
thought of God, not the tree. And death
| had come. spiritual death or carnai mind
edness. as God said. (Romans will. g. =.
INTERVIEW VERSES 8 to 12)-What win
| God do with disobedient. fallen. carnaily
! minded man, who thinks more of the creii-
turs than Of the creator orr ht fo2 , Ike
| him IL called into being might have gone
astray. That the Makers interest and love
were not gone Is put d evident .ne IN
! There was a. call and an answer. followed
| by an interview. The facts were confessed
with simplicity and manifest shame a, AND
ice or hardness OF heart on the part OF the
man or the woman. He did indeed attempt
lad led h by nto IT. an hss 5
weakness. possibly somewhat pardonable
| under the circumstances. The woman tolo
the absolute truth that she was beguiled BY
| the serpent, an attempt to shift the blame
| Oh Cor, ri. 3D. This Interview was chiefly
| valuable in that 1t led the offending partie:
to review and state their s wrongdolng a me
| presence of God whom they had disobeyed
| U1 Cor. v, 10)
JUDGMENT Oversees II and 15)-The whole
| case having been thus rehearsed through
! confession Of the guilty, q readjustment !!
| made by which the race of man Is contin
ued and the wisdom and glory Of God art
exhibited. The judgment included a penalt!
| tempered with mercy. That penalty fel
upon all the parties concerned-upon Thu
man and the woman In way not described
| serpent so tEat he was cursed above al
| beasts. made the most ignoble of the ami
NAL kingdom. This item gives force to tn
idea that he was some inhabitant of thi
world and not merely the instrument OF al
evil spirit from another world. The centra
and most important part OF Gods sentenc
l
serpent and the woman from hiendliness t
bitter: land perpetual enysity, resulting in
| struggle between them and their seed, I'm
der this last expression IS couched the frs
promise to the race Of deliverer. (Rom
xvi, 20.) Such was the Interpretation by Ne,
Testament writer's. Heb. II, H.) Tho 'gospe
Is here proclaimed In figure. "vFs
CONCLUSION-This story OF mans fal
contains picture in miniature of Satan
devices and victories in every age. The sew
eral steps may not always be- so discernibie
but there is the same concurrence and sue
cession in all temptations by which me-
are overcome. There are insinuations o
hard thoughts of God and his command
ments. fiattering proposals with hopes u
Immunity from the consequences OF disobe
d!ence. direct contradictions of the expires
utterances and warnings of the Almighty
promises of pleasure or advantage from sin
full Indulgence. an awakening of ambition t
be great through indulgence of sensual ap
petite, .ntanglements in error and seduc
lions to unbelief. Whenever pride is fla,
| tered or discomfort and ambition excited
whenever We learn to our own understandin
and reject the plain word of God: wheneve
spiritual favors are little esteemed an
| physical gains are more desired-then "
may be sure the tempter has begun his wor
for our destruction. We may be comforte
that one Is near to save. q John III. 81