The Lectionary picks the Genesis 3:1-23 account as the Old Testament lesson. Genesis (Beginnings) charts the start of the earth, of man, and sadly--the start of sin. Genesis also has the start of the Gospel (first recorded). Lent focuses on our sin, how we need to turn* from it, and its remedy--Christ.
*'turn' = repentance = contrition + faith
Genesis 3:1-15 (excerpts)
The Fall
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring[a] and hers;
he will crush[b] your head,
and you will strike his heel.
v. 4 A half truth. What a surprise from the father of lies. Yes, man would know good and evil BUT the devil forgets to mention the cosequences: death and loss of fellowship with God.
v. 8 Sin causes spiritual insanity. Hide from God? The question "Where are you?" was for Adam's benefit.--as if God didn't know where Adam was. Where was Adam--in his relationship with God? The day before Adam walked in perfect fellowship with God. Now, not so much. Do not take this lightly, man fell into a spiritual Grand Canyon. He is spiritually dead (Eph 2). The most devout christian has a sin nature. Look at Paul. "Oh what a wretched man I am." (Rom 7:24)
v. 15 God would repair the broken fellowship between Himself and man. The first recorded Gospel. God would send Christ to defeat satan--at a great cost. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The author of life (Genesis account) suffers spiritual death (hell--our hell).
Where there is forgiveness of sins there is eternal life.