Featured Was the Serpent in Genesis 3 a Literal Snake?

I think I am using "manifestation" in the usual way. Satan "appeared" to be one of the creatures in the Garden. Eve was fooled completely, she did not realize she was being led astray. But the harmless creature was not what it appeared to be, it was Satan in disguise.

Now it might not seem just to hold an animal accountable for an inadvertent action, but for a greater purpose (indicating the value of human life) God does hold animals accountable. If an ox kills a person, the ox is to be killed. Not because it did anything it knew was wrong, but to teach mankind about the value of human life.

Here we have an animal (all of that kind) being held accountable to teach mankind.

 

Dwayne: I am inclined to believe that the serpent in the garden was a real snake that had legs and could talk, and that he somehow conspired with satan to deceive Eve. If the serpent was satan himself in the form of a snake why would God punish real snakes for something they had no part in?

 

You and @Dwayne McDowell my very well be correct in your conclusions. But I personally do not think there is enough evidence to make those conclusions. Just saying.

 

There is nothing in the text to indicate that it is not literal.

 

What makes you think Satan has the power to do this?

 

Angels are sons of God and morally aware. Thus they can sin and are responsible. Animals cannot sin. If you're seminary taught you animals can sin, you're been mislead.

 

The angles have the power to assume the likeness of men. Satan was a powerful angle. What better way to be the master at deception.Demons are fallen angels and they are recorded to enter men and pigs. This is why I said that Satan entered the snake. He possessed the snake.
MB

 

Well, then you'd have big problems with Paul.

Rom. 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ​

All creation was cursed because of Adam. All groan in anticipation of Christ who will restore all things.

 

And the Serpent is identified as Satan. Satan often uses instruments to do his mischief (for lack of a better word). God altered the instrument of the snake, but the snake itself does not feel this punishment. He is one of the most successful animals on the planet.

 

And he likely was not the only only animals changed at the time of the Curse. We know thorns were given to some plants. We can infer that stingers and quills may have been added to some animals along with other defense/attack structures.

An interesting read: How Did Defense/Attack Structures Come About?

 

I've already affirmed the physically changes of the snake were in response to the devil's sin. You have not responded yet to my argument.

 

To me as I have read the story Satan entered the snake. the reason the Snake was cursed is because the snake was a willing participant. Being possessed is by willingness or passiveness or not caring about it one way or the other. The reason is my opinion and, is not as far as I know scriptural.
MB