I wanted to take an objective look at Satan in the story of creation. This is not meant to offend those of you who are still christians. I'm agnostic btw. If this is too long then just read the summary below.
In the story of creation it is stated that, "Thus Jehovah God made to grow out of the ground every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food and also the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad." [Gen 2:9]
I interpret the above to mean that there were two trees:
1) The tree of life in the middle of the garden
2) The tree of the knowledge of good and bad
Later on, Jehovah spoke to Adam saying, "Jehovah God also gave this command to the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.”" [Gen 2:16-17]
I interpret the above to mean that eating from the tree of knowledge of good and bad causes death. However, they can eat from all other trees, which I presume includes the tree of life.
Now, after Eve was created she was asked by the serpent if God told them not to eat from every tree in the garden. She replied by telling the serpent that they may not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden (i.e. The tree of the knowledge of good and bad). Christians interpret the serpant and Satan to be one and the same.
Here comes the interesting part. The serpent told Eve, “You certainly will not die. For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” [Gen 3:5]
I interpret the above to mean:
1) The tree of the knowledge of good and bad does not cause death
2) The tree of the knowledge of good and bad grants some form of enlightenment; presumably knowing the difference (and being able to choose) between good and bad.
As we know, Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge. The scripture reads, "Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made loin coverings for themselves."
I interpret the above to mean:
1) The serpent told the truth. Adam and Eve's eyes were opened as promised.
2) In order for Eve to make an alternative choice other than what God had commanded, she needed a competing idea to be introduced to her. The serpent revealed to her the option of eating from the tree; before, the option was never even considered. Also, the scripture uses the word, 'consequently', which suggests that Eve could not choose to eat from the tree without the serpent's suggession (i.e. She lacked freewill).
The story continues with Jehovah finding out that they ate from the tree. He eventually says,"
Then Jehovah God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are the cursed one out of all the domestic animals and out of all the wild animals of the field. On your belly you will go, and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel.”
To the woman he said: “I will greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in pain you will give birth to children, and your longing will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.” And to Adam he said: “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree concerning which I gave you this command, ‘You must not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account. In pain you will eat its produce all the days of your life. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you must eat the vegetation of the field. In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”"Above we see that the following was betowed upon mankind:
1) Birthpains
2) Death
3) Men dominating Women.
4) Thistles and thorns
The serpent was also cursed to crawl on its belly.
Nowhere, does it state that eating from the tree of knowledge caused pain and death. Instead it states that God caused pain and death to mankind becaused they obtained enlightenment (presumably freewill as pointed out earlier) from the tree.
The scripture then states, "Jehovah God then said: “Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad. Now in order that he may not put his hand out and take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live forever, —” With that Jehovah God expelled him from the garden of Eʹden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. So he drove the man out, and he posted at the east of the garden of Eʹden the cherubs and the flaming blade of a sword that was turning continuously to guard the way to the tree of life."
Now, above we see that Jehovah was displeased that man became like him. He banished Adam and Eve from the garden so that they may not also eat from the tree of life and obtain everlasting life. It would seem that Jehovah was the bad guy while the serpent tried to help humans to progress.
Below, I summarise my analysis of the story.
Summary:
1) There were two trees; the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.
2) Prior to eating from the tree of knowledge man lacked free will.
3) Eating from the tree of knowledge did not cause death. God did.
4) The serpent helped man to obtain enlightenment and become like God.
5) God banished man from the garden and gaurded the tree of life with cherubs to prevent man from breaking the curse of death.
Please discuss.
Btw, did anyone know that Satan is not really a name but a title? It simply means,"the opposer".