Today as I read Genesis 3, I was particularly struck by verses 1-13. (I'll move on to the next verses soon.) God had given Adam and Eve everything they could ever want or need. They had food, they had purpose and even more, they walked in close relationship with God Himself. Yet they wanted more. Adam was told - apparently before Eve was ever fashioned from his rib - that only one thing was forbidden. Of all the trees in the Garden of Eden, only the single tree in the middle - the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil - was off limits.
Verse 1 tells us that the serpent was very crafty. The serpent tempted Eve with the possibility that she could discern good from evil - that she could be like God. She was so tempted by this that she ate and she also gave the fruit to her husband - who was with her - and their eyes were opened. They were suddenly aware that they were naked and they were ashamed. They made coverings for their naked bodies from fig leaves and Adam and Eve hid from God when He came into the Garden of Eden searching for them.
We know that God knows all things, yet God came into the Garden calling to them, "Where are you?" What does this say to you? This means to me, that God searches me out. Even when I am guilty and ashamed, He comes to me. He wants to find me. He doesn't just wait for me to jump out and say, "Here I am, God!" This is important to me because in my life I have learned that few people would ever seek me out. I've learned that relationships are fleeting because something "better" almost always comes along - yet God looks for me even when I hide...and even though He knows where I am, He wants me to know He's looking.
I praise You, God...for loving me.
Then once God finds Adam and Eve, Adam says, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” God knows already what has happened, yet waits for Adam to tell Him. He waits for Adam to confess. He doesn't come hunting for Adam and Eve, yelling for them to make themselves known and to confess their sins. He doesn't come violently to punish first and ask questions later - regardless that He knows already the sin that has taken place.
Thank You, God, for Your mercy.
The next thing that is so very obvious to me is that Adam is so quick to blame Eve, saying, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." God then asks Eve, giving her a chance to assume responsibility: “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Eve is so quick to throw blame at the serpent. This is so telling of our human nature. We don't want to accept responsibility, we don't want to be punished for what we've done, so we want to blame others. At this moment, it doesn't matter who caused them to eat, they ate of their own volition.
I pray, Father God, that I might learn to accept responsibility so that I may grow deeper in fellowship with You. I'm weary and tired of throwing blame. Please forgive me. Amen.
I'd love to know your thoughts! Feel free to share in the comments.
Verse 1 tells us that the serpent was very crafty. The serpent tempted Eve with the possibility that she could discern good from evil - that she could be like God. She was so tempted by this that she ate and she also gave the fruit to her husband - who was with her - and their eyes were opened. They were suddenly aware that they were naked and they were ashamed. They made coverings for their naked bodies from fig leaves and Adam and Eve hid from God when He came into the Garden of Eden searching for them.
We know that God knows all things, yet God came into the Garden calling to them, "Where are you?" What does this say to you? This means to me, that God searches me out. Even when I am guilty and ashamed, He comes to me. He wants to find me. He doesn't just wait for me to jump out and say, "Here I am, God!" This is important to me because in my life I have learned that few people would ever seek me out. I've learned that relationships are fleeting because something "better" almost always comes along - yet God looks for me even when I hide...and even though He knows where I am, He wants me to know He's looking.
I praise You, God...for loving me.
Then once God finds Adam and Eve, Adam says, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” God knows already what has happened, yet waits for Adam to tell Him. He waits for Adam to confess. He doesn't come hunting for Adam and Eve, yelling for them to make themselves known and to confess their sins. He doesn't come violently to punish first and ask questions later - regardless that He knows already the sin that has taken place.
Thank You, God, for Your mercy.
The next thing that is so very obvious to me is that Adam is so quick to blame Eve, saying, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." God then asks Eve, giving her a chance to assume responsibility: “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Eve is so quick to throw blame at the serpent. This is so telling of our human nature. We don't want to accept responsibility, we don't want to be punished for what we've done, so we want to blame others. At this moment, it doesn't matter who caused them to eat, they ate of their own volition.
I pray, Father God, that I might learn to accept responsibility so that I may grow deeper in fellowship with You. I'm weary and tired of throwing blame. Please forgive me. Amen.
I'd love to know your thoughts! Feel free to share in the comments.
Comments
Great entry...a much needed admonition.
Blessings,
Pamela