Putting Words in God's Mouth

Genesis 3: 1-6
"The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.  “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too."



For months now I have been deeply entrenched into Genesis chapters 1-11 as I worked on a curriculum for our children's ministry entitled "The BIG Truth".  These narratives are so familiar to me and to so many of us that we often skim it or only read the highlights.  It becomes like proofreading your own work, you miss the little things! 


There is one phrase found in this passage that may often be overlooked that is small and probably very insignificant but it has perplexed me greatly! In Gen. 3:3 when Eve was speaking to the serpent about the fruit of the tree that they were not to eat, she added 4 small words to the command God had given her, "You must not eat it OR EVEN TOUCH IT; if you do, you will die."  Why did she say that? Why did she add to the words of God?  Why did she exaggerate? God never told them they couldn't touch the tree.  Did she think the command from God needed "something else" to make it seem more emphatic?
In studying personalities, I have learned that some people are bent towards exaggeration.  I include myself in that category :) I guess that I wonder about Eve because I would have probably done the same thing.  In studying this passage I have come to two conclusions. 
First, this shows the place of her heart.  Before Satan ever came to her with temptation, she was already unsure of what God had said.  Or maybe she had chosen not to listen to His Word.  Had she been firm and steadfast in her decision to obey God's command she probably would have not added to God's Words.
Secondly, this simple phrase shows her desire to be in control.  For us control freaks who like to plan and prepare for everything it's hard to just listen and let God be God. 
I believe that from this simple phrase we can take away 2 things.  First, we need to keep our hearts in check and lined up with God's Words.  Second, we also need to let God be God and not try to add to or take away from who He is.  He is in control of our lives whether that fits into our plan or not!