Ok, but only because you asked.... 
If my POV that for most parts, especially in the early records of
Genesis is to be taken as an analogy or a parable, then that
conversation may not have taken place literally. If it is going to
interest you, I am not one of those who believe that creation took
place in 6-24 hr days.... but this is just my personal view. In any
case, I don't see it as holding a conflicting view of the Bible.
There are many parts of the Bible that is written as analogies and
Jesus Himself told many parables to illustrate specific
points.
This is simple. Punishment is something that someone inflicts
upon oneself, suffering is what one feels. Obviously, in many
cases, punishment can result to suffering. However one need to
understand that there are cases where there is suffering but no
punishment, and vice versa. At the end of the day, the individual
has to decide if he is suffering or not.
I am diabetic.... but am I suffering? Sure, from the figure of
speech, it can be said that "I am suffering from a disease", but in
my own mind, I am not suffering. I only happen to have a disease
and have come to terms with it and take care of my diet so that
this disease to not worsen. But am I suffering, of course
not.
Punishment.... say I am not happy with my son's results and I
punish him by not allowing him to watch TV. In the meantime, he
finds other things to do... did he suffer? No.....!
I am sure you'd say that my explanation is probably too simplistic,
it probably is, but all I am trying to do is to differentiate the
issues between punishment and suffering.
Ok, putting it this way is not too incorrect. But let's take a
step back, we cut ourself, we bleed. So we can also say that God
created the bleeding. Or if I spill my coffee now, I'd screw up my
keyboard, and again hold God responsible for my damaged laptop....
it this a fair game?
Yup, God created the whole infrastructure of spaceship earth. He
created consequences, but we are responsible for the consequences,
not Him....
