In reading over Genesis 3 this week - the "fall" of Adam and Eve - I am struck once again by what is NOT there.
There is no overt anger from Yahweh. He expresses care and compassion for them by clothing them with garments of skin.
The snake and the ground receive a curse, but - although there are consequences for them - Adam and Eve themselves are not cursed.
The consequence of their actions is expulsion from the garden, specifically so that they will not have access to the Tree of Life. If they cannot eat from the tree, they cannot live eternally. There is no talk of hell.
And, for the Calvinists out there, there is no indication that being kicked out of the garden fundamentally changes Adam and Eve's nature, making them into wicked God-haters.
Finally, God does not rescind His command to Adam and Eve to rule over the earth and multiply - it's just going to be harder than it needed to be.
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