“The Fall” – Introduction
To introduce this series on Genesis 1-11, aka “Still Hiding,” I wish to share a fictional narrative of how the garden story could have played out. The early stories of Genesis can almost take on a fairy-tale quality. We’ve heard these stories so many times that we seldom pay attention to the details anymore, nor do we enter into the emotional pain the characters no doubt experienced. In addition, we often struggle to connect these stories to our own lives, which may limit the value we derive from them. For example, do we understand how the Garden, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel stories create the backdrop for the call of Abram?
For several years, I have pondered how best to communicate these truths in a captivating manner. I have desired to share the profound impact and the nuances of the Biblical narrative in a form that is both engaging and personally transformative. I want us to feel the pain and remorse, as well as the hope, of the individuals in these stories. With this goal in mind, I created an adaptation of the garden story as it might have been orally passed down to Abraham’s family. I hope you can engage on a deep human level, feeling what they likely experienced.
Here begins a retelling of “The Fall – Our Ancient History,” as it may have occurred.
Time For A Change
Ur was a bustling metropolis. It was one of the most civilized cities in ancient Mesopotamia, but a restlessness was beginning to settle over Terah’s family. Terah and his three sons made their home in Ur, but it seemed as if darkness was creeping into the fabric of life. Although the city was modern and civilized, the people were steeped in idolatry and pagan ritual. Even Terah made his living by casting idols, which he sold in the local market.
As Terah and his family were eating together and relaxing, they began to talk and ponder what was happening to their homeland. During the conversation, they recalled what had happened to Babel five hundred years earlier, and before that, the great flood, and even further back in their history was the mysterious story of a garden. As they pondered these events, great concern, almost a fear, overshadowed the family. One of the sons muttering imperceptibly under his breath, “Father, could our family somehow be connected to those ancient stories?” “What did you say?” snapped Terah, not realizing the significance of his son’s question. But he quickly caught himself and began to collect his thoughts. Then he began to recite to his sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran, one of the ancient stories passed down by his ancestors. The boys listened in awe and amazement.
Eden-The Memory
Terah began, “A loving and benevolent God made the earth and skies under which we live. In fact, he planted a garden not far from here. It was a magical and wonderful place, truly heaven on earth. You see, the mountain of God was there, and where God’s home is, all of his attendants share his habitation. It had mighty rivers, gold and silver, a rich diversity of habitat with trees and plants of every kind. In fact, our own ancestors lived in this place; that is, until…. oh, what a dreadful day. I weep just thinking about it,” explained Terah, as he shuddered.
“But let us think about happier days for now. God, whose name is YHWH, wanted a family who could share all he had made in that wonderful place, even sharing his own nature and character. So, after all the preparations had been made, he reached down into the soil and began to fashion a man. He was strong, muscular, with a beautiful head of hair, and altogether handsome. But the man did not move or animate himself at all, so YHWH leaned in close and breathed into his lungs–gasp! The man opened his eyes to behold his creator, YHWH. Even the inhale and exhale of Adam’s breath somehow spoke his name: YH … WH.”
Pausing to reach back in the recesses of his mind, Terah continued, “The sights, sounds, rivers, mountains, and strange creatures of all sorts were amazing to behold. As the first man, Adam surveyed his surroundings. It began to dawn on him that nothing in his vicinity was like him. YHWH invited the creatures to present themselves to Adam, who in turn observed their behaviors and their speech, if such can be called speech, and the way they maneuvered about. He gave each of them a name to honor them in keeping with their traits, but none of them would Adam consider a soul mate. YHWH was the closest being in similarity to Adam, but there was something otherworldly about him. Adam thought to himself, “I’m like him, but then again, I’m not like him. I love him, but I fear him at the same time. It’s not a fear like I think he will hurt me, but rather an inspiring recognition of being in the presence of a great king.”
Oh Eve! Words Escape Me
As Adam was thinking back on all the myriads of animals and the goodness of YHWH, he slowly became aware of an emptiness, no, it was more of a longing for something or maybe someone with whom he could share these experiences. No sooner had his mind begun to wander down this path than he became very drowsy, falling into a deep sleep.”
“For Adam, it seemed but a few moments; but when he awoke, he was speechless as now standing before him was not one of the creatures he had named but a fellow human. Well, she looked like a human but not exactly like Adam, for she was exquisite in every way imaginable. Her eyes were riveting, her hair falling gently upon her shoulders, her speech sweeter than the song of the birds, and her form, oh my, it was more captivating than the mountains to behold. Indeed, Adam was blessed as he named her Eve. And YHWH, with great pleasure and satisfaction, stood aside to behold this holy encounter.
As the first man was trying to absorb the experience, he sensed that something was missing from him, from his side, but nothing visible; it was just a feeling. But then he looked up at Eve, realizing nothing was missing, for there she stood. The world was good, and they were good! The days in Eden were a delight. Not only was there plenty of food to eat, a never-ending source of things to investigate and adventures to pursue, and YHWH was never far away as the three of them shared sweet times until…”
Things Were Going So Well
Terah continued, “You see, YHWH had put them in charge of everything, and they were to make the rest of the earth look like the garden. You might even say they were God’s priesthood on earth. But there was a creature, one more subtle than the others, who was not thrilled with this arrangement. This was not a low-ranking member of God’s divine family; no, this was in fact one of the guardian cherubs – he was a throne guardian to the very presence of the Most High.”
But, Dad, one of the boys asked, “Why would one so high resist such a good and loving God?” Well, son, Terah continued, “this is a sad tale, and it is a lesson for us all. You see, the cherub known as Nachash was most gifted; he was beautiful to behold, wise in the administration of heaven’s affairs, extremely talented musically, and commanding great influence among YHWH’s other family members. His name provides a clue about his nature, but first, you should understand that the names of people, places, and events often have great significance. And it is no different with Nachash.”
“His name, Nachash, actually has several meanings depending on how we speak it. It may refer to a snake or serpent, or to the practice of deceit, corruption, and divination. But when used descriptively, it speaks of something “shining, shimmering, or a bronzish one.”
One of the boys spoke up, “Was Nachash a friend of YHWH’s?” Chuckling slightly, “he was for a time,” said Terah, “but then he let pride rise in his heart, thinking he would overthrow the Most High and take his place. When the treachery was discovered, he was ejected from serving in YHWH’s court and cast down to the stars below in the second heaven. As he considered his plight, he thought, “I am the guardian cherub, I walked among the stones of fire–I must not lose my place, no, I will take YHWH’s place. My plan will begin with them–those humans. We’ll see how wise and understanding they are as I turn them against their God.”
Not content to accept defeat, he set about to craft a masterful plan to corrupt the image bearers. Flattering himself as he considered his own beauty, wisdom, and various abilities, his contempt for YHWH only increased while his malevolent plan took shape. As the full weight of his own judgment settled in, he seethed with anger and revenge, thinking, “I will prevail, I will sit on the sides of the North, I will ascend above the Most High, but how? I must not use a direct frontal attack lest I be defeated in abject humiliation.
Ah, I’ve got it. Beguile, deceit, corruption, confusion, and the dark arts–these will be my tools until I can muster enough strength for a military coup. I will deceive and corrupt those humans whom YHWH cares so much about. Yes, those humans made in his so-called image, they will be my warriors against the Most High, and I will not be replaced. They will be part of my army against YHWH and the host of heaven.”
The Story Becomes Real
Terah rubbed his chin, as if pondering the same story he was telling, “There was something peculiar in the garden besides Nachash; it was two trees. But these trees were not garden-variety trees. The odd thing is that these trees had names, but not Oak, Dogwood, or Olive; no, one was called the ‘tree of life,’ and the other ‘the knowledge of good and evil.’” But wait a sec, piped up one of the boys, “Earlier, Adam named all the animals; why not the trees. Who named these trees, Father? And why do trees have names anyway?” Terah now with a full-throated laugh and smile, “My, you boys are inquisitive, aren’t you?”
Sometime afterward, while Adam was tending to his chores, Eve was looking for something to eat. While busy during the day, they often considered how good their lives were. They lived with YHWH in his home, he took them into his confidence, shared his thoughts, and taught them about the earth, the heavens, and even their own humanity. He taught them how to prosper and succeed in the world that he had created. In fact, to know him was to be like him; and everything about YHWH was good, and everything else, well, you know.
Terah continued, “Eve, while considering her delectable choices, was distracted by something moving in the distance. It was over by that tree, the knowledge one. There was nothing to fear in the garden because this was YHWH’s place and nothing evil or malevolent lived here, or so she thought. While Eve was captivated by the tree’s beauty, Nachash approached, barely uttering a whisper. “Its fruit is tasty and rich in nourishment. But then, she remembered Adam’s words in her memory, “Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” But, like a scammer peddling his tricks, Nachash pressed his case: “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” By this time, her mind was confused, and it didn’t even dawn on Eve that she and Adam were already like the Creator. But then in an instant, phase one of the sinister plot was completed.”
The Nachash was delighted but compelled to maintain his poker face as the ruse was only partially complete. Phase two would be more challenging, for YHWH had spoken directly to the man about the tree, whereas Eve had learned it secondhand from Adam.
Adam implicitly trusted his wife, and she him. They would never do anything to harm the other, at least not knowingly. In fact, Eve didn’t realize she had violated YHWH’s instruction, for there were no consequences to her choice, that is, until Adam also partook of the forbidden fruit.
So even as YHWH had watched Adam awaken to the wonder of Eve, the Nachash now watched as the trap was masterfully set. For the love and trust they shared with other beings in the garden was now being used against them. They must have thought, “Oh, can we have a do-over, roll the clock back, another chance, please?”
At this point, one of the boys spoke up. “Father, it seems that Adam’s choice canceled all hope for continuing in YHWH’s family.” “That is very perceptive, son,” said Terah, “In fact, Adam was God’s representative on the earth, his viceroy if you will. He stood before YHWH in the place of a priest for all the earth. When the Nachash deceived Eve, Adam could have interceded for her, but once he succumbed to the same fate, there was no priestly intermediary left on the earth. Adam lost his role as priest and prince of the earth. That role shifted to the Nachash as Adam had freely handed it over.”
Poor Choices Lead To Regret Followed By Anguish, Yet Hope Remains
It was a time of great sorrow and mourning for Adam and Eve. They had never known such anguish and grief. They argued and accused each other, trying to undo what they had done. Naked and ashamed, they looked around no longer feeling at home within the garden, almost like it was someone else’s home, and they were intruders.
They saw YHWH in the distance. What was he doing over there? He seemed to be busy with one of the animals Adam had befriended and even named. “Oh no, what was he doing?” cried Adam. YHWH slaughtered and then skinned it. Adam and his wife were absolutely horrified at what the Creator had just done. All that blood and death, and now YHWH was holding the animal’s carcass as clothing for his first humans. They had never seen such violence; this should not be, and certainly not in Eden, the home of YHWH. Oh, dear God, “what have we done,” as they realized the animal’s fate was caused by their choice? Words escaped them as the full weight of their anguish cascaded down upon their souls.
Finally, as he approached, YHWH spoke, “This animal skin is a promise for you and your children that I will provide a way for you to return to me and undo what you have done, but for now, you must leave this paradise which I have created. But do not be afraid, because you have my covering and I will watch over you until the end.”