Who is this God?

Genesis 3 -“It’s like some weird movie where the damsel can’t see what danger she’s in, and you have no way of warning her…Genesis 3,
as the serpent says to Eve, “Did God really say ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”I want to scream
“EVE!!!!! DON’T TALK TO HIM!!!!! JUST RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!”

Yet how often do I find myself in her shoes? Negotiating …rationalising … compromising with that old liar! And the saddest part is that he still uses the same old lines, doesn’t he? “Did God REALLY say…?” And unfortunately if my appointment with God’s word is annual or even weekly, my answer is probably going to be ‘You know, I’m not really sure what God says…’ But that’s a discussion for another day. Today I just want to share something about what happens after that whole mess. After the “Oh boy, what have I done?” stage.

First comes the shame (Gen 3:7 ‘Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves). Upon the recognition of our flaws we start to hide certain aspects of ourselves from those closest to us. Adam and Eve, who up to this point had been completely, physically, spiritually and emotionally naked and unashamed, suddenly felt the need to cover themselves up and used fig leaves to do so. I imagine they were as stunning as stunning could be as far as physicality goes, so I’m thinking she wasn’t trying to cover up flabby thighs or a pot belly. But sin had distorted God’s image in man and they felt like they had to hide.

The next thing that happens is something I personally love. These guys are hiding in shame and the Lord God calls to them, “Where are you?” (vs. 9) Even when I’ve done Him wrong, God still looks for me. He comes down to find me. And knowing exactly where I am, He doesn’t barge in and take me out. He asks me, “Baby, where are you?” so that I can invite Him to come and save me from my mess. Where are you in your life? This is a question that invites you to confess and get real about your situation. He knows where you are, but do you? Jesus, I’m living a lie. Jesus, I’m out of control. Jesus, this is where I am…SAVE ME!!!!

Now look at what God does. Even his punishment comes with a blessing. I mean, He can’t help but be good! At the end of painful childbirth I am the mother of a beautiful child. At the end of a hard month, my husband is able to take pride in providing for his family.

And after everything is said and done, God takes away our silly fig leaf coverings and replaces them with more durable garments of skin (vs 21) because He has no interest in shaming us in front of everyone.

Who is this God?
He comes to seek after us…then He gives us an opportunity to get real and confess and repent…
allows us to grow by teaching us consequences…
then covers up our shame and gets on with His day.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but worship this One”