Blog post 1.5

In the “Genesis” passage, the morals of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden are discussed.  For the reader, it’s easy to say that Eve’s choice was ill advised, but what must be considered is her knowledge of right and wrong.  For one’s actions to be definitively labeled right or wrong, their perspective must be taken into account.

At many points in the passage, it is revealed that both Adam and Eve had been previously warned by God to not eat any of the fruit on the single tree in the middle of the garden. When the serpent initially suggests that Eve should eat the fruit anyway, she says “But we may eat of the trees in the garden!” “It is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God did say.” So it is clear that Eve was familiar with the rules set forth by God.  Eve knew that God had warned of death if the fruit were eaten.

Although Eve knew about God’s warnings, she supposedly is among the first humans to walk the earth.  Therefore it’s fair to say that the idea of actions having consequences would’ve been easily misunderstood by her.  It wasn’t until the serpent tempted her that she felt the desire to eat the fruit.  The serpent said “You are not going to die.” “No, God well knows that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be the same as God in telling good from bad.” By listening to the serpent, Eve made the choice that she now believed to be right.  She believed that eating the fruit would lead her to a state of increased perception and awareness.

It's easy to look at Eve’s actions and say that they were wrong, or at least misguided. Who could possibly think it's a good idea to defy God?  At the time, Eve had never learned the difference between good and bad. She only seemed to know how to follow instructions. She listened to God first and didn't eat the fruit. She also listened to the serpent who told her to eat the fruit anyway. The decision she made was not wrong because she was not aware that it was wrong.