This Christian poem is based on Eve in Genesis 3:1-6. As I wrote this poem about Eve, it kept growing, so I divided it into four parts. This poem, part one, focuses on the process of temptation – How temptation transitions from what is seen through Eve’s eyes, what is felt with her emotions, to finally what she thinks with her mind to make her decision. I found the study of this Bible passage a fascinating look into the process of temptation in general which hasn’t changed even to this day, being physical (sight), emotional (feelings) and then (mind) our thoughts whether they be for or against going forward with the chosen action. Beverley Joy
One day a serpent said to Eve
“Did God really say you must not eat
The fruit from any of the trees?”
This serpent was acting in a strange way
Unlike other creatures of its kind
Questioning in a human tone
Its ruler and its creator.
“Of course, we may eat fruit,” she said
“From the trees within the garden,”
“It’s only the fruit from one special tree
In the midst of the garden, we may not eat.”
“God said we must not eat or touch it;
For if you do, we will surely die.’”
Eve said misinterpreting the command
Which Adam had told her.
“You won’t die!” the serpent lied
“God knows that your eyes will be opened
As soon as you eat it, you will be like God
Knowing both good and evil.”
He teased her with cunning deception
Tempting her to question
For they had never experienced
Death or evil, only God’s goodness.
So, who is telling the truth
About this ‘evil’ and ‘dying’
God or this strange creature?
Doubt now teased her mind.
But God so loved them, why would He kill them?
It’s only a piece of fruit!
Would God really do what he had said?
Kill them for eating meare fruit?
The sentence of death seemed extravagant
And unreasonable to Eve
It didn’t seem to match the crime
Maybe God had made a mistake?
How come this creature knew about this
And Eve did not know a thing?
She and Adam were superior beings
God made them rulers over all things.
Hadn’t God made her in His image
So why didn’t she know both good and evil?
This creature questioned what God had said
Then surely Eve could do the same?
If she had been ‘made in God’s image’
Why wasn’t she like God already
Knowing both good and evil?
WasGod keeping something from her?
Eve looked thoughtfully at the tree
She saw that it was good for food
She knew it would satisfy
Her growing appetite.
Hadn’t God made every tree
In the garden good for food?
Hadn’t God said that everything
He had made was very good?
The tree was pleasant to look at
The sight of it stirred in her
A sense of pleasure and excitement
A delicious tempting allure.
And yet it was forbidden by God
The punishment severe
Thoughts of dread and desire
Tossed about in her mind.
Her thoughts were now a strong desire
To gain the wisdom and knowledge
The creature said she would get
If she ate the forbidden fruit.
She wanted more knowledge than God had given
More wisdom than God had imparted
Surely there was no harm in her
Gaining more knowledge, was there?
Wouldn’t it be a clever move
On her behalf to improve?
Wouldn’t it be an advantage
To the overall scheme of things?
If what the serpent said came true
She would become like God
As soon as she ate the fruit
She wouldn’t have to wait.
She wanted to experience
What it was like to be like God
God makes decisions on His own
She wanted to do the same.
Eve’s desire grew into a craving
And this craving became a ‘void’
That desperately needed to be filled
Her focus, was now magnetized.
What would it feel like?
What would it look like?
What would life be like
When she was like God?
To gain the knowledge
To ‘know’ both good and evil
She would have to eat
The forbidden fruit.
Could she live with the consequence?
Well, that depends on who was telling the truth
The creature or the creator.
If she succumbed to the temptation
And dare to disobey
She would either become like God
Or she would surely die.
So far, life had been very good
The rewards of obedience
Had been abundant life for them
A life with purpose, love and peace.
But would life be better
If she were like God?
Did she have to obey Him
Just because He said so?
To be ‘like God’, well this was proving
An irresistible temptation
She could not wait any longer
Curiosity was killing her.
Should she discuss this decision
With Adam her dear husband?
Yes, but not till she received it
She wanted to get it first.
Her perception of the situation
Her imagination of ‘what if’
Had run away with her senses
And she made her decision.
Eve took the fruit and ate it
Surprised, she did not die!
It tasted delicious, pleasant, exciting
Eating it fed her desire
It satisfied her craving
She felt it had filled her void.
She had made the decision
She believed best for her
She decided by herself
To disobey God’s law.
If this is what it felt like
To be like God – it felt good
What the creature had told her seemed correct
And God had been the liar.
She gave the fruit to her husband
Who was with her, and he ate.
The creature tempted Eve
Eve tempted Adam
Adam also chose to obey
The creature, not God his Creator.
Adam knew full well the truth
God had told him personally
Before Eve had been created
He foreknew the consequence.
He didn’t correct Eve misconception
He did not run from the temptation
Nor protect her from God’s punishment
Not even call on God for help.
Instead, he decided for himself
That he too would choose to question
If God’s law was right or wrong
And should he follow it or not.
Their disobedience showed contempt
For all the good things God had given them
Their beautiful, peaceful garden home
Abundant food at their fingertips.
But they wanted more. They chose to follow
The advice of the creature, instead of the Creator
They traded the truth about God for a lie
They had sinned and yet, they were still alive!
Beverley Joy © 2017 of Simply Story Poetry
Why not listen to or read the whole story of Adam and Eve – Eve’s Story Part 1, Wrong Game Move Part 2, The Blame Game Part 3, But wait…God Made a Promise Part 4
Read or listen to my poems of Women of the Bible: It Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, Sweet Temptation Eve Genesis 3, Feast or Famine Ruth and I Am Ruth, ‘Thirst Quenching’ The Woman at the Well, Mary – The Christmas Story Part 2 Four Unusual Women, Part 4 Mary, The Christmas Story Part 5 Mary and Elizabeth, The Busyness Excuse Mary and Martha, Her Touch of Simple Faith The women with the bleeding issue,
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here
Reference:
The Zondervan NASB Study Bible 1999 Zondervan Michigan U.S.A.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible 1960 Marshall, Morgan & Scott
Genesis An Introduction and Commentary. Rev. Derek Kidner. The Tyndale Press 1967
Genesis 3 A devotional and expository study. Edward J. Young. The Banner of Truth Trust 1966
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