The Literal Meaning of Genesis (continued)
suppose that its soul was changed into a rational soul. As a matter of fact, not even human beings, whose nature is rational, know what they are saying when a devil speaks through them in that state of possession which requires an exorcist. It is much less credible, then, that this serpent would understand the meaning of words which the Devil uttered through it and by it, since it would not understand a man speaking even if it were free from diabolical possession.
Many people think that serpents hear and understand the words of the Marsi, at whose incantations snakes are wont to dart forth from their hiding places.%? But in this also a diabolical power is at work to make us recognize®* how God's providence everywhere subjects one being to another in keeping with a natural order, and how His wisdom and power allow something to evil wills so that snakes rather than any other kind of animals become accustomed to be moved by human incantations. This indeed gives some indication that human nature was originally seduced by the words of a serpent. Demons rejoice at this power given to them, allowing them to move snakes through human incantations so as to deceive anyone they can. This is permitted to them in order®> to show a certain affinity they have with this kind of animal, thus calling to mind what happened in the beginning. Furthermore, what happened in the beginning was permitted so that a picture of every diabolical temptation might be shown through the serpent to the human race, for these events were to be recorded for the instruction of men. This will be evident when God pronounces His sentence upon the serpent.
CHAPTER 29
In what sense the serpent is the most subtle of all the wild creatures.
36. Hence, the serpent is called the most subtle of all the wild creatures,?® that is, the most astute, because of the astuteness of the Devil, who spread his wiles in it and by it. Thus we speak of a subtle or astute tongue which a subtle or acute person