Genesis 3  (NLT)

The Man and Woman Sin
3 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

“Where are you?” 

All-knowing God called out to the man He’d crafted with His own fingertips, asking a question yet already knowing the answer. I’ve often pictured God in this moment as a chuckling parent, standing behind Adam and pretending not to see him. But when reading this passage again, I gained a different perspective. 

In an instant, Adam learned of his vulnerable condition and faced shame followed by fear. He assumed that his disobedience ruined every- thing, and all the good times were over forever. So when he heard God walking nearby, Adam didn’t dare run into the presence of his Creator; he hid, ashamed and afraid. 

God chose not to peel back trees with a breath, revealing Adam’s hiding spot. He didn’t march through the garden broadcasting the serpent’s cunning words or send angels to evict them without getting personally involved. Instead, God affirmed His desire for relationship by inviting Adam into a conversation. 

“Where are you?”

He didn’t start with questions about what they had done, who they had spoken to, how they had disobeyed, or whose fault it was. No, God started with the question closest to His heart. Father God created us to be near, and Adam had hidden himself away. 

“Adam, I love you, I’m eager to spend time together, and you’ve placed yourself apart from Me. Where are you?” 

I imagine Adam evaluating his situation, crouched there in his patch of trees. Where am I? You know I’m here. You probably see me even though I’m trying to avoid you. I’m right here. 

In the Garden of Eden. Slouched behind these flimsy branches. Cloaked in shame. Frozen in fear. Distancing myself from You. 

Then Adam made the best decision he’d made all day. Above the noise of his failure and beyond the shouts of shame and fear, He listened to God’s voice calling for him. And he replied. 

Prayer

Lord, thank You for creating me to be near to You. No matter how many times I make the wrong choice, You still want me to be close. Today I choose to draw close to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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