3:20
The Fall was a disaster, one from which we have all suffered, every person who has ever lived upon the earth. Adam named the woman Eve. In these closing verses there is hope, the death sentence is not the end. All the living would come from Eve. Does this mean we are all descended from one couple? Somewhat ironically evolution seems to say a similar thing! We also see that man, fallen as he is, still plays an active role, it is Adam who named the woman Eve.
3:21-24
God also still cares for man, for He made clothes for them out of animal skin. This highlights an important point in the Bible, in particular with regard to justice and mercy. Most things need to be looked at both in terms of mercy and judgement, we tend to look at them from one dimension alone, i.e. judgement alone, or mercy alone. The Biblical picture is far more complex.
While God is caring for man, there are severe limits put upon him. So steps are taken to prevent him taking from the tree of life. So man was banished from the garden, and a flaming sword flashing to and fro prevents him from ever entering Eden. It is only in Christ that we can eat from the tree of life. The consequences of sin and the saving work of Christ are the subject of the rest of the Bible.
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