This week I was working in a study in Genesis and in reading Chapter three I noticed something different in the dialogue God is having with Adam and Eve right after they have sinned. Leading up to this encounter when reading chapters one and two God is creating and then He creates man. He made man to dwell in the land that He had just created, to live and eat freely of everything that is created. He notices that something is missing and creates woman from the man. Both there to dwell in the garden to live and be free in this space. The only rule or restriction was that they couldn't eat of one tree that was in the garden. It was so simple they had everything they could want or need so whats one rule compared to having everything else and being free in this beautiful place.
Then they were deceived and ate from this tree, they disobeyed God.. the one thing they were told not to do they chose to eat from it. Now there are a few things to unpack from that portion of scripture as well but I want to set the scene a bit before we get into the dialogue that happens after they chose to sin. After they ate and their eyes were opened to what they had just done they hid away from the Lord in shame and guilt. They just disobeyed Him and here comes the Lord searching for them.
Genesis 3:9-14 says
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Now God who knows us in such an intimate way chose to ask them these questions, though He knows their heart and their thoughts He decided to ask them what had just happened. Instead of getting angry with them and immediately punishing them for disobeying He walked up and had this dialogue with them. I like to think that in that moment His tone was not harsh but gentle. When I read that my immediate thoughts went to a child and parent and how sometimes it's easy to respond in anger and immediately punishing for doing wrong or not listening. Seeing this part of God seeing his Father like character so early on in the beginning. He's not quick to anger or punishing in consequence to our disobedience.
I'm really thankful that when I choose to sin and I want to run and hide the same way Adam and Eve did I can recall the conversation He had with them and remember that He is not going to be angry with me. He is disappointed in the choosing to sin instead of going to Him to be reminded that whatever that sin has to offer in that moment isn't true and will bring consequences that are harsh and hurt. His nature toward us is always loving, even when it seems like it's hard or we don't like it. I just love that we find out early on that gentleness is a part of His character and we see it right before He punishes man for what he had done.
Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.
Matthew 11:29
This verse I think paints the picture of what God wanted in the beginning. In the garden with His beautiful creation enjoying it with Adam and Eve. He wanted to have relationship with them.. with us to become intimately acquainted with. In that place of freedom lacking nothing because everything was there. Thankfully He had another plan to still have that relationship with us. Unfortunately because of the fall it doesn't always look like dwelling with Him in the garden, I'll take it over being separated from Him. I loved learning about this characteristic of the Father, as you move forward into this week whether you're reading or praying or just being ask the Lord to reveal a new part of His character to you He loves when we want to know Him better.
My Prayer For You
Father, thank you for new understanding of who you are it's so exciting to read stories and see a part of you in a new way. Thank you Lord that your word is alive and brings new revelation each time we sit with it. Father would you reveal to us more of who you are, we want to take time this week to know more of you. Show us how to love you in the day to day, as we draw near to you would you draw near to us.
Amen.
