Adam

In This Series Of Articles, we will explore the last recorded words of various biblical characters (considered chronologically). The intent is not just to amuse ourselves with a novel approach to Bible study, but to look for powerful exhortation in the words, based on the premise that if these are indeed “last words,” they must have been spoken (and recorded) with a great deal of feeling and significance. No words in scripture are recorded haphazardly, but for a reason. “Famous Last Words” explores that reason.

Adam

The last recorded words of Adam are, “The woman whom thou gayest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Gen. 3:12).

These words are often taken to show Adam “passing the buck”, blaming his wife (and God!) for the mess he was in, and trying, however feebly, to exonerate himself! But take a look again at the last words! Adam said, “I did eat.” Is this not a confession of his sin? Could we not align these words with the words of David in Psalm 51: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.”?

Consider again the situation of Adam:

  1. He was given a clear command from God, the disobedience of which would lead to certain death (Gen. 2:16-17).
  2. He sinned (transgressed the law) (3:6).
  3. He felt shame because of his sin and tried to cover himself (3:7).
  4. He heard the voice of God, and because he was humbled by God’s presence, he tried to hide (3:8).
  5. He was compelled by God’s word through direct (yet gentle) questioning, to tell the truth (3:9-11).
  6. He spoke truthfully and confessed his sin (3:12).
  7. He suffered the consequences of his sin – ground cursed, sweat and sorrow, a return to the dust (3:17-19).
  8. God provided a covering for his sin, the means of forgiveness (3:21).

Is this not a wonderful pattern and example for us to follow? We are in exactly the same predicament today!

Go through the above eight points again – replacing the ‘he’ of Adam, with the ‘I’ of ourselves.

What a wonderful model we have of God’s dealings with us and His plan of salvation. Clearly for us “the wages of sin is death” and we have “all sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Often when we sin, shame makes us try to fix the problem ourselves and attempt to cover our tracks. But it is God’s Word that should bring us to our senses. We cannot “hide” from God; everything is open to His view. The only way out is confession! “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).

Yes, we may suffer the consequences of our foolish acts, but “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us” (I John 1:9).

Confession is the lesson from Adam’s “famous last words.”