Indeed, a witness-bearer within man was testifying to that very conclusion.​—Gen. 3:6-11.

Without statutes against fraud, cheating, slander, false accusation, they could see the bad results that came from the first lie.​—Gen. 1:26–4:16.

² As explained in the third chapter of Genesis, Jehovah’s purpose encountered a challenge. (Gen. 3:1-7)

Genesis, and especially Ge chapters 1 through 11, has been the favorite target of men who deny God’s willingness to perform miracles.

Chapter 3 of Genesis tells of Eve’s being deceived, of Adam’s joining her in her transgression and of their being sentenced to death.

2:5 to 5:2 306

3:1-7 306

ANALYZE THE SCENE.​—READ GENESIS 3:1-24.

Keeping in mind that Adam and Eve sinned intentionally, what do you think they were feeling, as reported in verses 7-10?

Consider Genesis chapters 1-11, in which human history from creation to the scattering of peoples at the tower of Babel is recorded.

This is saying that Genesis chapters 1-11 are not to be taken literally.

This article will consider highlights from Genesis 1:1–11:9, basically up to the time when Jehovah began dealing with the patriarch Abraham.

(Genesis 1:1–7:24)

He caused the first human couple to become apostates. (Genesis, chapter 3)

He becomes presumptuous.​—Compare Genesis 2:17; 3:1-7.

It has turned out just as Satan the Devil figured it would: To this day the world of mankind has been born in sin against God, in nonsubmission to the sovereignty of the Most High God Jehovah.​—Gen. 3:1 through 4:16; Rom. 5:12.

He will bruise you in the head [like treading on the head of a serpent to crush its brains] and you [like a serpent lying in wait] will bruise him in the heel.”​—Gen. 3:1-15.

But under the test of perfect obedience to their Creator and Lawgiver, the first human couple sought out their own plans. (Gen. 1:26 to 5:5)

He slew us also, for we have inherited from sinful Adam and Eve our dying condition.​—Gen. 2:7–5:5.

It is not surprising, then, that he is likened to a snake; and because he misled mankind from the beginning of human history, by means of deception, he is called “the original serpent.” (Gen. 3:1-15)

30. When did Satan the Devil come on the scene of action, and how did he then show his resistance?

³⁰ In Ge chapter three, the first book of the Bible as written by the prophet Moses tells us how Satan the Devil came to be.

Chapter 3 191

3:7 757

3:1-7 724

3:6, 7 159, 536

18. Show how Adam had served as a channel of divine communication.

¹⁸ Adam was also the writer of the second Bible document, Genesis 2:5 to 5:2 (NW), wherein evidence is recorded of additional divine communications’ having been received by him in the garden of Eden for publication. (Gen. 2:5-24)

In effect this earthly agent, the serpent, amounted to a false prophet in Satan’s imitation line of communication between himself, an invisible assumed sovereign, and Eve, whom he sought to control as a newly converted subject.—Gen. 3:1-7.