I. DESCRIPTION OF THE GARDEN (Gen. 2:8-14).

1. Location.— Four rivers are named in connection with the Garden of Eden: the Pison, Gihon, Euphrates and Hiddekel or Tigris. The latter two are located in Babylonia, hence the garden must have been somewhere in this region.

2. Appearance.— It was a very delightful spot, for trees pleasant to look upon and bearing delicious fruit grew there. In the midst stood the two wonderful trees, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

II. PURPOSE OF THE GARDEN (Gen. 2:15-17).

1. A Home of Happiness.— Adam and Eve lived here in innocence and peace. God taught them obedience by forbidding them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As long as they were obedient they enjoyed constant fellowship with God.

2. A Sphere of Work.— Man was not created for idleness. God gave him the work of dressing and keeping the garden; but this task was neither difficult nor tiresome.

3. A Place of Probation.— When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden, they were in a state of spotless innocence; but they had never yet stood the test of temptation. The one tree of forbidden fruit was a proof of their ability to resist temptation.

III. SIN IN THE GARDEN (Gen. 3:1-7).

1. The Tempter (Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3 ).-Satan, in the form of a serpent, the most subtle among tne beasts, was the tempter.

2. Steps in the Temptation.

(1) The serpent aroused a suspicion in regard to God's goodness.

(2) He denied the danger of disobedience.

(3) He promised advantages through disobedience.

3. Steps in the Fall (I John 2:16).

(1) The lust of the flesh. " Saw that it was good for food."

(2) The lust of the eyes. " And pleasant to the eyes."

(3) The pride of life. " And to be desired to make one wise."

IV. GOD'S JUDGMENT AGAINST THE SINNERS (Gen. 3:8-19)..

1. Their Arraignment.— After they had eaten of the forbidden fruit they were ashamed and hid themselves, but God called them to account for their sins.

2. Their Excuses.— They tried to shift the responsibility. Adam blamed the woman, and the woman blamed the serpent.

3. Their Doom Pronounced.

(1) Humility and enmity upon the serpent.

(2) Pain and inferior position upon the woman.

(3) Disagreeable labor upon man.

(4) Death upon all living creatures.

QUESTIONS.

• Where was the Garden located?

• What rivers are named in connection with the Garden?

• Describe the appearance of the Garden.

• What was its threefold purpose?

• How did Adam and Eve maintain happiness?

• What work was assigned them?

• What was given them for a test?

• Who was the tempter?

• What were the steps in the temptation?

• What were the steps in the fall?

• How did Adam and Eve attempt to escape the judgment of God>

• What excuses did they offer?

• What was the doom pronounced upon them?

REVIEW.

I. Description of the Garden.

1. Location — Babylonia.

2. Appearance.

II. Purpose of the Garden.

1. Home of Happiness.

2. Sphere of Work.

3. Place of Probation.

III. Sin in the Garden.

 1. Tempter — Subtle Serpent.

2. Steps in the Temptation:

(1) Aroused Suspicion,

(2) Denied Danger,

(3) Promised Advantages.

3. Steps in the Fall:

(1) Lust of Flesh,

(2) Lust of Eyes,

(3) Pride of Life.

IV. God's Judgment Against the Sinners.

1. Arraignment.

2. Excuses.

3. Doom Pronounced:

(1) Humility and Enmity,

(2) Pain and Inferior Position,

(3) Labor on Man,

(4) Death on All.