The Fall
God called out: “Adam. Adam. Where are you?” Adam replied, “I, I heard your voice in the garden. And, I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you you were naked?” God asked, “Have you eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?”
–iBIBLE Chapter 2
Scripture reference: Genesis 3:9–11
As Adam and Eve hide from the presence of the Lord, they hear Him callout: “Adam. Adam. Where are you?” God’s voice is no longer comforting tothem. They are struck with terror and shame as the Lord approaches.
Why is it that our sin causes us to hide from God? We see it in this instance with Adam and Eve, but we also are guilty of the same behavior. What could be worse than being apart from our Creator when we need His grace and mercy? Fleeing from Him would only leaveAdam and Eve in their despair and shame without the hope of redemption, and the same is true for us today.
God relentlessly pursues His people. He does not let them hide in dark places away from Him. We read in Scripture that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. Adam and Eve did not know yet that God had a plan to restore them.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, northings present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38 [ESV]
When God asked Adam and Eve where they were that day in the garden,He most certainly knew before He asked. Just as He knew where Adam andEve were, He knows the dark places that we run to—the many ways we attempt to hide our hearts from Him. Out of love for His children, He does not let them stay in hiding. He exposes their sin in order to bring forgiveness and grace to them. All sin must come to light in order to be forgiven.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. — John 3:19–20
Even though Adam and Eve hide from God, He seeks them out. At this point, when the Lord finds him, Adam should have repented. He should have met his Creator with admission of his guilt, with acknowledgement of his wrongdoing.
Instead, he says that he hid because he was naked. For this, God asksAdam a question that he cannot reason his way out of. Adam cannot justify himself in the presence of the condemnation that the law brings: “Have you eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…the tree from which I told you not to eat?”
There was no way out. God knew what they had done.
God relentlessly pursues His people.
He does not let them hide in dark places away from Him.
Our Response
If God were to ask, "Where are you?" How would you respond? Do youbelieve it is safe to step out of your hiding place? No matter where you are,God waits for you, even if you have disobeyed Him.
When we feel the condemnation of God’s law, it can be easy to run fromHim. Instead of facing our sinful tendencies or our problematic actions, we simply choose to not deal with them and hide from the One who can actually help.
Putting up a façade of holiness in the presence of others like Adam and Eve creating their own coverings made from leaves does nothing to take away actual guilt. And suffering the weight of our guilt alone does nothing to fix our problem. What we need is a Redeemer. We need Christ to step into the picture.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding instead fast love. — Psalm 103:8
We must confess our sins to our God who is ready and willing to forgive.When you feel condemned, do not run from the Lord—run to Him and be forgiven.
When you feel condemned, do not run from the Lord—run to Him and be forgiven.
A Prayer for This Week
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for taking away our shame. We are so grateful that we can come to You in prayer, not worrying about You condemning us, but knowing that You are faithful, and that You promise to save all who trust in You. Help us to believe when we are saddled with doubt. Help us to turn from our sin and shame and look to the cross of Jesus where we find hope and deliverance. In the holy and precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.