Genesis 3:7-11
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
Adam and Eve had just made the fatal mistake of eating the forbidden fruit. They no longer were blessed with the innocence afforded them at creation; and their first reaction to their new found knowledge was “Let’s cover it up.” Outwardly they were the same that day as they were the day before, but inwardly things had drastically changed. They knew still knew right, but they also knew wrong. Their nakedness had meant nothing the day before, but suddenly now it was an issue. As they heard God approaching the garden as He had done so many times before they covered themselves with fig leaves and hid behind the trees of the garden fearing what was to come. They had also just discovered trouble…
God has a few questions for them: Where are you? Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat what I told you not too? (Paraphrased by me).
It seemed to me to be the reverse of Salvation.
“I’m here Lord.”
“I’m covered by the blood.”
“Thank you for forgiveness.”
Only then we revert back to the garden ways. We discover there is a lot wrong with us. And we hide ourselves among the trees and cover ourselves up in dread of God coming close. And God asks again, “Who told thee that thou wast naked?” Who uncovered your sins?
It’s for certain that God didn’t. The same one who took the innocence of Adam and Eve is still taking it today. He’s the father of lies and the last thing he wants is you walking close the truth. So you messed up. The next thing you do is begin the cover up. Rather than walking with God you suddenly find yourselves out in the wilderness, away from church and reading the Word of God, hunkered down in hopes He doesn’t come by. And then He calls you out and your heart begins to thump out of your chest because you know you’ve just been busted. And He asks that question. “Who told thee that thou wast naked?”
We don’t get it. God covered us with the blood of Jesus the day we accepted Him as Savior. But Satan lies and tells us that our sin is exposed and we need to run from God because wrath will follow. And we begin the fig leaf fallacy. I’ll cover it up with goodness, busyness, work, contributions. Things that don’t require me getting too close to God, because He’s upset.
I’m reminded of a friend who’s blind and serves in the ministry under a powerhouse preacher. In one of their leadership meetings the Preacher had just raked them across the coals because of issues that happened while he was out of town. They exited the meeting and my blind friend said to someone standing close by, “Boy, the big guy was upset today, wasn’t he?” To which that person replied “I am the big guy!”
I crack up every time I think of that story! The “big guy” was right beside him all along.
And so is God. And yes I think God gets upset with us, and He expects repentance for sin. But He still asks. “Who told thee that thou wast naked?” You can’t do anything to hide what you’ve done. I know. Now move on, you’re covered.
If Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit they’d have never known “wrong.” But they did, and now we all know it. But we’re not naked. Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and it’s time to stop buying the lies of Satan that puts so many Christians out of commission and back in the trees.
Time is short. Get busy!
