Illustration: The Gentleness of God in the Garden
God in the garden after sin – Genesis 3
You know the story of our first parents and how sin entered into the world.
The Rule – just ONE rule!
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17 NKJV)
“And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18 NKJV)
Then the Lord made every beast of the field and every bird of the air. Adam named the animals, but no helper comparable to Adam.
Deep sleep – took one rib – closed up the flesh. From the rib – made the woman.
Chapter 3 – The serpent spoke to the woman – he challenged the rule with a catechism question:
Q 1 - Has God indeed said: You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
A 1 – We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; BUT of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.”
Oh, so close. But Eve or Adam added a “rule” to God’s one rule.
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6 NKJV)
They ate – eyes opened – naked – fig leaves to cover. Heard God coming, HIDE!
“Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9 NKJV)
What tone of voice do you hear? “Where are you?”
Disgust and contempt – How could you do this? How dare you. I gave you all this, and you do this to Me?. You disgust Me. “Where are you?”
Anger and wrath – Get out here, right this minute. You are in BIG trouble. “Where are you?”
Joyful, Laughter, and play – Oh, you silly children, ha-ha – are we playing “Hide and Seek?” “Where are you?” – here, I come ready or not.
Gentleness and compassion – Oh, Adam, what have you done? Where are you in a relationship with Me now?
Adam’s response: It was all about self – ME:
So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden (then came these emotions), and I was afraid (fear) because I was naked (guilt); and I hid myself (shame).” (Genesis 3:10 NKJV)
7. When you sin, do you ever feel fear, guilt, and shame? How do you try and hide your sin from others and God?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.