Daily Bible Reading Reflection - Where did Satan Come From? (Gen 3)

The first sign of trouble in God's ideal world came from the interaction with the serpent in the garden.  Later parts of the Bible make it clear that this is non other than Satan, who is called the adversary and accuser along with the Devil.  Jesus called him a liar and the father of all lies because this is his nature and there is no truth in him.

I am reminded of the question as to Satan's origin.  Where did the Devil come from?  While it is true that the Devil is God's adversary, this does not mean that he is an evil deity or an alternative "god."  The fact that he appears in garden as a creature makes it clear that like Satan falls in the same category as every other created thing.  In Revelation, the Devil appears as an even greater creature.  Even though he is a fearful seven-headed dragon, he is still a creature and not the creator.  God's angels defeat him in chapter 12.  God's people also defeat him in chapter 12 because of the blood of the lamb.  In chapter 20, all it takes is for ONE of God's angels to bind the dragon and throw him into the abyss.  At the final judgment in chapter 20, the Devil is thrown into the lake of fire in the final judgment along with all of his work, including death.  As a creature, like every other creature, there was a time when the Devil didn't exist.  As an enemy of God, like every other enemy of God, there will come a time when he will be no more in the lake of fire.

As I look at Satan in the garden, I am reminded that he only has the power of deception.  His lies make him seem more powerful and wise than he is.  It really isn't important to know Satan's backstory because the Bible does not give it.  If we have everything we need for life and godliness, then we already have all that we need.  The introduction of Satan as a creature in the beginning, and the prophecy of his end as a creature because he is an enemy of God gives perspective on where his false "wisdom" leads.  

Later, the book of proverbs will declare in chapter 9 that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  The last part of 1 Corinthians 1 tells us that Christ has become our wisdom, and that this is a wisdom that none of the rulers of this age have understood.  Because of this, we can see the fruit in the prohibited tree for what it is.  We gain our wisdom from God.