In Genesis chapter three, where Eve is tempted by the “Serpent” we have neither allegory, myth, legend nor fable. Instead, facts emphasized in Figures of speech. A Figure of speech is used for the purpose of calling attention to and emphasizing an idea expressed in language, thereby intensifying the reality of the literal sense, and the truth being presented. Although not strictly true to the letter, Figures of speech are all the more true in representing the certainty of the historical event associated with them.

  The word nāchāsh, in Hebrew נָחָשׁ, is translated into English “Serpent” (to hiss, mutter, whisper, as do enchanters. Secondary senses are to divine and enchant. Various Biblical passages tell us that Satan possesses a glorious appearance, and that the Hebrew term includes a sense to fascinate.

2 Cr 4:4 “…he has hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

  Without doubt, the being in the garden was the same being, (Satan) who tempted Christ in the desert.

There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deut 18:10-12)

  The Nāchāsh, or serpent, who beguiled Eve (2 Cor. 11. 3) is spoken of as an “angel of light” in verse 14. It seems clear that the angel to whom Eve paid such diligent attention and obeisance was a not a snake, but a being of glorious aspect, apparently an angel who possessed superior knowledge and wisdom, (i.e., worldly wisdom).

  Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

 Thou [art] the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Ezec 28:12-15

  Satan was the most exalted, mightiest supernatural being that God had ever created: an angel perfect in beauty and wisdom. What enticing wisdom did Satan exact upon the mind of Eve? Having never sinned, she and Adam were pure; creatures of body, soul and spirit.

 The Hebrew word rendered “subtle” in Gen 3:1 means wise (in a good sense or a bad sense).

  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28)

The Rotherham Emphasized Bible has an informative translation of this verse.

Lofty was thy heart in thy beauty, Thou didst corrupt thy wisdom because of thy splender…

 Satan had free will to act in accordance with God’s will, as do all of God’s reasoning created beings: angles and men.It becomes clear that the wisdom of Satan was corrupted, as is the wisdom of this world (a corruption and a counterfeit to all that God has planned for His glorious creation). Although God gave free will, He did not expect man to fail when He created him and placed him in the garden.

  We have the same antagonist; Satan is a master of craftiness, at labor for generations, he is able to remain concealed even within the ways of men, even those who will to worship the Creator. Most Christians do not anticipate their enemies’ movements, because they don’t even believe he exists. The reason most Christians don’t believe there is an arch enemy is because they do not read God’s Word. The reason they don’t read God’s Word is because they rely on other men to feed. The diet many times lacks spiritual nutrition.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1Cr 3:19)

  The word “beast” also, in Gen 3. 1 chay denotes a living being, and it is wrong to have been translated zõa beasts. As in Rev 4 where it is translated beasts, it is equally in error. Specifically, it doesn’t say that either a serpent or Satan was a beast, but only that he was “more wise” than any other living being in the garden.

  Who can even envision Eve speaking with a snake? Of being convinced by a snake to disobey both God and her husband, who had instructed her in what God had commanded? We can, however, fully understand that if an angel of light, a tempting, fascinating and alluring creature of great beauty, were to present to her the wisdom of the world—she might be tempted to listen. And she was.

  Therefore, the point is this: Satan is alluring. He is your enemy. He is a worldly-wise angel relegating great authority throughout the systems of the world. What wisdom is that? It is the five senses wisdom of the world. Carnal knowledge; of the flesh; lacking spirit. Along the river of “the ways of the world” flow his ideas, aspirations and his plot of conquest. Victory at all cost. A scorched earth policy. I do not know if he realizes yet, that he has lost this war. I know one thing: he will rack ruin until the final and concluding end point. He will fight to the finish, until Christ finally bruises his head in defeat and he is heaved into the eternal fire of death.

  You and I will never be prosperous (allowing the will of God to take place in your life) by taking heed to the thoughts or ideas the God of this world lays before us.

 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. (Phl 2:13)

  Our position is in Christ. You and I are seated in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus. We will never be victorious by operating according to the world’s standards of worldly wisdom. Our wisdom is the wisdom of the spirit within, and the Word of God. If we endeavor to live according to the standards of the world, something will always be amiss. We will be tricked just like Eve. Whether, wealth, health or our walk with the Father. Our lives are hid in Christ. This world is not our home.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. It is through the walk by the spirit that we both overcome the “old man nature” and triumph in Christ. Col 3:3

 The standard of truth and wisdom is God and His Word. Our ideas come from Him. The written Word (The Bible) proclaims Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ proclaims the Father.

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn 16:33

O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jer 10:23

Joy in service with you,

Anthony Barbera