Genesis 3: 8 - 13
In these verses Adam and Eve once again put their shame into physical expression by attempting to hide from God. Like a father whose child is curled up face down and “hiding” in the middle of the floor, God calls out to them. In his response, Adam confesses that he hid because he was naked- his sin was exposed. He was again trying to hide his shame.
Although, God obviously knew what had happened, he asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” This gives Adam an opportunity to confess his sin and request forgiveness. Instead he chooses to pass the blame. What may, at first, seem astounding is that not only does he attempt to pass the blame to Eve, but also to God for giving him Eve. Yet, in light of the fact that Adam and Eve’s sin had come forth from a desire to be equals with God, is it really so surprising that when confronted with his downfall, Adam would try to lower God to his own standards by accusing Him of also having failed in some way?
When God then gives Eve an opportunity to confess her sin, she too attempts to pass on the blame. She tells God, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.” In other words, “It’s not my fault the serpent tricked me.”
**It is easy to sit in judgment on Adam and Eve’s actions in this chapter:
Q: How could they be so foolish as to believe a serpent over God?
– Have you never been unable to answer a question regarding God’s Truth? Have you never been deceived- even temporarily?
Q: How could they be so foolish as to think that they could hide their sin / hide from God?
- Have you never felt that you could not approach God before you’d made some atonement for your own sin? Have you never felt that you had to let a certain period of “self-flogging” pass before you could really ask God for forgiveness? These, too are ways of trying to erase your own sin through your own power.
Q: How could Adam be so brazen as to attempt to blame God for the sin which he commited?
- Have you never treated God as your equal? Taken your relationship with Him for granted? Thought of Him as your friend more than your Lord? (Don’t answer too quickly- examine your actions first. Do your actions declare that God is your Lord or have they sometimes been less respectful?)
Q: Why did they not just confess their sins and ask for forgiveness? How could they think passing the blame would actually work?
- Right. Like you’ve never tried to pass the blame? Like you’ve never put off confessing your own sins?
It is easy to condemn Adam and Eve as sinners. It is more painful to admit how much like them we really are.
Although, God obviously knew what had happened, he asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” This gives Adam an opportunity to confess his sin and request forgiveness. Instead he chooses to pass the blame. What may, at first, seem astounding is that not only does he attempt to pass the blame to Eve, but also to God for giving him Eve. Yet, in light of the fact that Adam and Eve’s sin had come forth from a desire to be equals with God, is it really so surprising that when confronted with his downfall, Adam would try to lower God to his own standards by accusing Him of also having failed in some way?
When God then gives Eve an opportunity to confess her sin, she too attempts to pass on the blame. She tells God, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.” In other words, “It’s not my fault the serpent tricked me.”
**It is easy to sit in judgment on Adam and Eve’s actions in this chapter:
Q: How could they be so foolish as to believe a serpent over God?
– Have you never been unable to answer a question regarding God’s Truth? Have you never been deceived- even temporarily?
Q: How could they be so foolish as to think that they could hide their sin / hide from God?
- Have you never felt that you could not approach God before you’d made some atonement for your own sin? Have you never felt that you had to let a certain period of “self-flogging” pass before you could really ask God for forgiveness? These, too are ways of trying to erase your own sin through your own power.
Q: How could Adam be so brazen as to attempt to blame God for the sin which he commited?
- Have you never treated God as your equal? Taken your relationship with Him for granted? Thought of Him as your friend more than your Lord? (Don’t answer too quickly- examine your actions first. Do your actions declare that God is your Lord or have they sometimes been less respectful?)
Q: Why did they not just confess their sins and ask for forgiveness? How could they think passing the blame would actually work?
- Right. Like you’ve never tried to pass the blame? Like you’ve never put off confessing your own sins?
It is easy to condemn Adam and Eve as sinners. It is more painful to admit how much like them we really are.
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