The news of man’s fall spread through heaven—every harp was
hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All
heaven was in agitation. The angels were grieved at the base ingratitude
of man in return for the rich bounties God had provided. A council was
held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair. The angels feared
that they would put forth the hand and eat of the tree of life, and thus
perpetuate a life of sin.
The Lord visited Adam and Eve, and made known to them the
consequence of their disobedience. As they heard God’s majestic
approach they sought to hide themselves from His inspection, whom they
delighted, while in their innocence and holiness, to meet. “And the Lord
God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I
heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I
hid myself. And He said, Who told Thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou
eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?”
This question was asked by the Lord, not because He needed information,
but for the conviction of the guilty pair. How didst thou become ashamed
and fearful? Adam acknowledged his transgression, not because he was
penitent for his great disobedience, but to cast reflection upon God. “The
woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and
I did eat.” The woman was then addressed: “What is this that thou hast
done?” Eve answered, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”
The Curse
The Lord then addressed the serpent: “Because thou hast done this,
thou art cursed ab