Knowledge of Adam and Eve
2339.—Knowledge of Adam and Eve. 1. Did Adam and Eve have any knowledge of sin previous to their partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? 2. Could they have been tempted on any other point than on that which they yielded? 3. Were the Ten Commandments as given to Moses on the mount given to Adam and Eve previous to their fall? If so, did they not impute to them a knowledge of sin? Does it seem that God would give them such commands as the fifth, seventh, and tenth, when at that time there was nothing to tempt them in that direction? A. W. 1. Our first parents had no experience in sin until they sinned. They did know, however, from God's word, by faith in that word, that it was sin to disobey. That is the only true knowledge that any soul can have. If we are content with that knowledge, we shall have strength to resist sin. If we desire the knowledge that comes by experience, we shall always fall with the knowledge. That is not the knowledge which saves. 2. Their temptation involved several points. The manifest means which the enemy used was the forbidden fruit, but underlying that was the disbelief in God, having other gods before the Lord, taking that which did not belong to them, spiritual fornication, and bringing death to the race; consequently the transgression of several of the principles of the Lord's law. Satan evidently attacked the most vulnerable point in their defense. 3. The Ten Commandments were not given them on tables of stone. The word expressly declares that they were not given in that form until the time of Moses. That does not mean that the law did not exist, because it is the very reflection of God's character, and is as eternal as God. They were children before God and He taught them just as they needed. Sometimes we are asked why it is that such commands as the seventh are found in an eternal law which the angels knew. Those who ask such questions fail to take this great thought into account, that God's government is eternal and universal, and every condition of life, every temptation to sin, every provision to save from sin, are all comprehended in God's law and Gospel. There is no surprise in God's government, no change needed to meet the exigencies which may arise. When the first man was created, there came into the purview of his life the principles of the first table of the commandments, honor to his God. When more than one being was created, there came into the operations of their life the principles of the second table. It was their duty to honor father and mother and regard each other according as the law indicates. Every one of these commandments grew out of man's relationship to God or man's relationship to his fellows. Adam and Eve were not babies. Man's mind was sufficient to comprehend God's creation. He understood the prohibitions which God gave him against sin, and had understanding to know that contrary to God's will was sin; harmony with His will, righteousness.