Scripture: But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And 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 of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:9-13 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Adam and Eve hear God (likely the prefigure of Christ) walking in the garden in the cool of the day (literally, the “wind” of the day), and feeling ashamed, they hide among the trees.
Today’s reading narrates God’s discourse with Adam and Eve in the Garden. Yahweh calls to Adam, asking, “Where are you?” Adam reluctantly replies that he hid when he heard the Lord because he was naked and afraid (regarding the consequences). So, God replies, “Who told you that you were naked?” Without waiting for an answer, the Lord further questions whether Adam ate from the fruit of the prohibited tree. Adam deflects responsibility toward Eve, who gave him the fruit, and toward God, who gave Eve to Adam as a helpmate. God then confronts Eve, who, in turn, blames the serpent who deceived her.
Takeaway: Moses presents God’s dialogue with Adam and Eve in a format similar to a court proceeding with four interrogative questions:
- To Adam: “Where are you?”
- To Adam: “Who told you that you were naked?”
- To Adam: “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
- To Eve: “What is this that you have done?”
We see this interrogative pattern repeated when God confronts Cain for killing his brother (4:9-10) and when he investigates Sodom (18:21). And like a skillful prosecutor, in our story, God evokes Adam’s confession from the evidence: their nakedness (vv.7, 10, 11).
Regarding the defendants, as described above, Adam and Eve blame others in their feeble attempt to deflect guilt and consequences:
- Adam blames God for creating a helpmate who tempted him.
- Eve blames the serpent who deceived her.
The irony of their pitiful defenses lies in the unintentional truths of their words. Indeed, God graciously created a helpmate for Adam, for which Adam excitedly declared his delight in her (2:23). Undoubtedly, Satan is the deceiver who seeks to illicit disobedience toward God (Revelation 12:9).
Our takeaway? Our passage reveals a core issue of fallen humankind. Adam and Eve, having disobeyed God, justify their actions by redefining God’s good gifts as the source of their troubles. It has been the same from that first generation to ours:
- We want autonomy.
- We want to be the judge of good and evil.
- We deflect responsibility when the desired outcome disappoints us.
Sadly, when we do, we isolate ourselves in feelings of shame and prolong our recovery. The remedy? Trust that the truth will set us free (John 8:31-32). Adam and Eve will learn their lesson, but not without the heartache of expulsion from Eden and the loss of two sons (Cain murders Abel, deflects responsibility, and is expelled from his homeland). So, how do we rely on the truth that sets us free?
- We agree with the Holy Spirit, who convicts us of our sins.
- We confess our sins to God and those to whom we owe an apology.
- We repent, engaging every aspect of our being (mind, emotions, and spirit) by intentionally pursuing a more trusting and intimate relationship with God marked by greater sensitivity to our motives. Additionally, we make restitution (if relevant), set up safeguards, and establish an accountability network.
Indeed, when we rely on the truth personified in Christ, we find freedom!
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who has set us free through his Gospel of Truth, but not without the priceless sacrifice of his life. Even so, we confess that sometimes our thoughts, words, and deeds belie our expressions of gratitude—particularly when we deflect responsibility by blaming others. So, please help us rely on your goodness and grace to readily agree with the Holy Spirit, confess our sins, and repent intentionally. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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