Where Are You?
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Genesis 3:8-11
Adam and Eve experienced the natural consequences stemming from their choice to disobey God’s directive. He told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and after having been deceived by the serpent, they ignored the instruction. Out of fear, they attempt to hide from God, assuming he will be angry with them. God’s initial question reveals his heart and his desire for Adam and Eve. I also shows God’s desire for all of humanity. He asks “where are you?” God is not looking to punish Adam and Eve, or to teach them a lesson. While he is saddened at their disobedience, his intention is to provide the means by which they can return to him. While they were hiding, God comes looking for them and foreshadows his plan for the restoration of relationship with him. It is not so different today. Our own willful disobedience leaves us disconnected and looking to hide from God, and he is still asking the same question: “where are you?” He asks the question not for his benefit, but for our benefit. So that we might take the time to really consider where we are. So that we might respond to his invitation to reconnect with him through Jesus.
BLESSINGS,
