Topical Bible: Ambition: Eve

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Eve, the first woman created by God, is a central figure in the Genesis account of creation and the fall of humanity. Her account is pivotal in understanding the nature of ambition and its consequences from a biblical perspective. The narrative of Eve is found primarily in Genesis chapters 2 and 3.

Creation and Role

Eve was created by God as a companion for Adam, the first man. Genesis 2:18 states, "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Eve was formed from Adam's rib, symbolizing her integral connection to him and her role as his partner. Her creation highlights the divine intention for companionship and mutual support in human relationships.

The Temptation and Fall

Eve's ambition is most clearly illustrated in the account of the fall. In Genesis 3, the serpent, described as "more cunning than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made" (Genesis 3:1), tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Despite God's explicit command not to eat from this tree (Genesis 2:16-17), the serpent entices Eve by suggesting that eating the fruit would open her eyes and make her like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5).

Eve's decision to eat the fruit can be seen as an act of ambition—an aspiration to attain wisdom and status beyond her God-given role. Genesis 3:6 describes her motivation: "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it." Her ambition led her to prioritize her desires over obedience to God, resulting in the first act of human disobedience.

Consequences of Ambition

The consequences of Eve's ambition were immediate and far-reaching. Upon eating the fruit, both she and Adam, who also ate, experienced a profound change. Their eyes were opened, and they realized their nakedness, leading to shame and fear (Genesis 3:7-10). This act of disobedience brought sin into the world, altering the course of human history and introducing suffering, toil, and death.

God's response to Eve's ambition and disobedience included specific judgments. In Genesis 3:16 , God declares to Eve, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." These consequences reflect the disruption of the harmonious relationship between humanity and God, as well as between man and woman.

Legacy and Reflection

Eve's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Her experience underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom and fulfillment come from aligning one's desires with God's will, rather than seeking self-exaltation. The narrative of Eve invites reflection on the nature of human ambition and the need for humility and trust in God's provision and plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 3:5,6
For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Lie.
... do?" If Eve had only thought, "Why is not my husband spoken to first?" Perhaps she
was glad to accept responsibility she had no right to. Was ambition possible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/lviii the first lie.htm

Adonijah
... When Eve rejoiced over her first-born, she little suspected that passions were sleeping ...
a dancing girl who made her way to the front by her ambition and beauty ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Book 2
... 17. The immediate causes of the fall were"Satan, the Serpent, Eve, the forbidden
fruit; the remote causes were"unbelief, ambition, ingratitude, obstinacy. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 2.htm

Chronological Table of the Life of Christ [From Andrews. ]
... Feb.-Mar.,. 30. ". Jesus again announces his death; ambition of James and John.
March,. 30. ". ... Thurs. " 6,. 30. ". Events at paschal supper. Thur. eve., Apr.6,. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/chronological table of the life.htm

Letter cxviii. (AD 410. )
... and what should make you the more ashamed,"you, when on the eve of sailing ... be prompted
to mental effort night and day by no other motive than ambition to be ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxviii a d 410.htm

To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the ...
... And, but for execution, ne'er set free. With error in ambition justly charged,.
Find we Lorenzo wiser in his wealth? ... Like Milton's Eve, when gazing on the lake,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/to the right hon henry.htm

The Sinner's Natural Power and Moral Weakness.
... Appetite excited leads them away as it led Eve and Adam ... Must not he be low enough
to satisfy any of those whose ambition seems strangely reversed, so that they ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xi the sinners natural power.htm

Introductory Notice.
... the ten persecutions; (2) a survey of its condition on the eve of that ... unasserted
because unquestioned, and unchallenged because as yet unholy ambition had not ...
/.../thaumaturgus/a declaration of faith/introductory notice.htm

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
... As the fruit good for food was the temptation that overcame Eve, so the ... In relation
to ourselves it is seen as pride, ambition, or envy, the disposition that ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-fourth day holiness and cleansing.htm

Devotional Incitements
... Heaven will not tax our thoughts with pride,. If like ambition be their guide. ... So
shall the seventh be truly blest,. From morn to eve, with hallow'd rest. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclix devotional incitements.htm