The fruit loop

The serpent was the most cunning of all the land animals HaShem made. The serpent said to the woman, "Did G-d actually say you're not to eat of any tree in the garden?" And the woman said, "We're allowed to eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden, except one. G-d said to us, 'You are not to eat the fruit of the tree that is in the center of the garden - don't even touch it, or you will die.'" But the serpent said to her, "You won't die. G-d knows that when you eat from that tree your eyes will be opened, and you will be like G-d - you'll know good and evil." So when the woman saw that the fruit looked delicious, that there was plenty of it, and realized that it would make her wise, she took some and ate it. She gave some to her husband, too, and they ate together. ~ Genesis 3:1-6

For many, if not all of us, this passage from Genesis is about as basic, and elementary as it gets. Not only is it foundational, but chances are, whether or not you were raised in a home that valued scripture, you picked up some version of it from popular culture at a very early age. Is there anything more for us not-so-early-in-age to learn from this well known scripture? There certainly is.

In so many ways, this tragic event that befell our greatest of grandparents, has repeated itself in an identical, endless loop, and, still, reverberates onward even today. The multifaceted strategy the enemy employed to deceive Chavah, hasn't changed in the slightest since that calamitous day thousands of years ago. If anything, it's only gained effectiveness and bandwidth since its first use. It's a plan of attack that we'd do well to be mindful of as we approach Torah, and seek to accurately apply the Instruction of G-d to our daily lives.

As evidenced by the discourse with Yeshua in Matthew 4:6 (and Luke 4:10-11), the enemy is not ignorant of the Word of G-d. Our adversary understands that there is no greater tactical advantage than to be intimately familiar with the weapons of those he opposes. It's a shame that we don't often prize, to the same degree, familiarity with the all-powerful weapon G-d has given us. It's interesting to note that the very first words we see exiting the mouth of our enemy are, at the same time, a confirmation and distortion of G-d's Instruction.

The nachash - the serpent - approached Chavah and slyly asked, "So, you're not allowed to eat from any of the trees here?" See, he was already very familiar with the rules G-d gave concerning the trees, only, he cleverly chose to emphasize the exception. He didn't ask in order to gain information. He knew full well that Adam and Chavah were allowed to eat from all of the trees but one. He only asked in order to fuel doubt. Drawing attention to all of the things Adam and Chavah could do, everything they could eat, while remaining within the direction of G-d, was not the enemy's objective. The deceiver had to highlight that one exception - better yet, get Chavah to highlight it herself. And it worked perfectly. She was immediately distracted from all of the, no doubt, wondrous sources of sustenance that HaShem had thoughtfully placed before His most prized creations, and she began contemplating the exception. What if Chavah had simply turned and walked away? The serpent had no power over her, but what she allowed. But like the writhing body of a python surrounds before it constricts, the enemy's words began to slowly envelop Chavah's heart - completely undetected.

The second layer of the enemy's strategy - the lie - was then implemented. Here is where that recently fueled doubt is fanned into flame. The serpent emphatically told her, in absolute and direct contradiction to the words G-d spoke, that she would not die upon eating the fruit. This was no mere suggestion. He couldn't risk that. He needed her to take the bait while he had her distracted and nestled gently in doubt. G-d said this, but I tell you that. It's a method as old as time, and the chorus of deception still echos in the hearts of so many today. Simply stated, and interestingly enough, G-d's very first instruction to us was not to eat something - and ha satan's very first deception was that we could eat whatever we like. G-d said, "It's for your own good." and the deceiver's distortion was, "It's good."

All the liar had left to do was what he does best - sink the fangs of pride. He gave Chavah the promise. He told her that she would be wise like G-d if she ate the forbidden fruit. There was a touch of truth in what he said, too, wasn't there? That's often what makes his deception so effective - that, and everything that we supposedly have to gain by taking the bait. In order to distract us from the possible dangers, the enemy will always highlight the many rewards for sin. Pretty soon, all we can see are the benefits of disobedience. How twisted is that?! Notice, that's when Chavah began to view the fruit differently - once the promise of wisdom was given. She soon noticed there was a ton of fruit there - and it all looked so delicious! The constricting began and you know the rest.

G-d promises and delivers blessings for obedience. The deceiver, however, only offers his rewards for dis-obedience. Wisdom, love, acceptance, prestige - the list of enticements seems endless - they're all just so fleeting and completely worthless, though. Being mere distortions and imitations of the real thing - very soon, the veneer cracks and the hideous contents start to seep out. Yet, nearly every aspect of our culture constantly promotes the endless benefits of eschewing the Way of HaShem. The strategy of the enemy; doubt, distraction, deception and disobedience are all alive and well today - and there has never been a better marriage than the distortions of the deceiver and the decadence of our present-day reality.

In many facets of our lives, this fruit loop continues unabated. G-d speaks to us simply, and in love - just as the cacophony of the world system threatens to drown out His words. We must, daily, make the conscious effort to move closer to Him. Lean in and listen hard.