The Good News: God loves us in our tough stuff
Genesis 3:6–9
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
And they heard the sound of the LORD GOD walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD GOD among the trees of the garden. But the LORD GOD called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
The opening three chapters of Genesis provide both history and mystery. Their descriptions of creation’s days and design, the origins of humanity and marriage, and the marring of all the “very good” the Creator provided — all of it should fascinate the imagination while generating endless questions.
Yet there is revealing clarity throughout. We live on a unique planet of life situated in a universe designed to declare 24-7 the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) to us. Humans too are uniquely created in the very image of God (Gen.1:26-27), created in righteousness for relationships with the LORD GOD and with one another (Gen.2:15- 18). Willing obedience could have endlessly opened every door of delight and discovery to Adam and Eve.
The endowment of consequential choice, however, was misused. Eve and Adam chose to believe that disobedience to God’s word offered more of life than even God had promised. When they ate together, the parasitic knowledge of evil imbedded itself within, and began to destroy their world. Experiencing sin, the couple immediately felt naked, ashamed, and needing to hide from their eager-for-fellowship Creator.
And yet, the LORD GOD came seeking, fully aware of what happened and what needed to happen. “Where are you?” He calls. Not seeking information but signaling intention, an initiative for redemption, a renewed relationship, a restoration. Loving, seeking us before we love and seek Him. In love, in the garden, God seeks to save that which was lost.