Scripture: The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:20-24 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, in poetic form, Moses records Yahweh’s pronouncement of yet another ill effect of the Fall. While the blessings of marriage and procreation will remain, Eve’s gender will now suffer in childbearing and her desire for intimate union with her husband. Similarly, Adam will labor in pain to till the soil. Additionally, all humankind will live mortal lives, where their bodies will decline and decompose. Finally, God pronounces that Adam’s sin created collateral damage beyond that of future generations: the Earth suffers the curse as represented by thorns and thistles.
Today’s reading concludes the Eden story with essential notations:
- Moses notes that Adam reiterates Eve’s name but with a revised meaning as “the mother of all living” (see below note).
- He tells his audience that God cared for Adam and Eve by sacrificing an animal and using its hide to clothe them in garments.
- Caring for their spiritual, physiological, and psychological well-being, God posts cherubim at the entrance to the garden to prevent humans from re-entering and obtaining immortality in their sinful state.
Etymology note: Moses again employs a wordplay. The Hebrew for “Adam” (ʾāḏām) derives from the Hebrew for “ground” (ʾaḏāmāh), from which the Lord took him from its dust. As for the name “Eve,” when Adam named her at her creation, he reasoned her meaning related to being “taken out of Man” (2:23)—pointing to her origin. Post-Fall, Adam’s revised meaning for Eve’s name points to her destiny as the “mother of humankind,” in whom God covered her guilt and shame.
Takeaway: With God making garments from an animal sacrifice, we see him back at work after his Sabbath rest. Assuming the author of Genesis is Moses, this story likely foreshadows Israel’s cultic worship of animal sacrifices (to atone for Israel’s sins) and the covering of the priest (to cover his nakedness, lest he incur guilt and die (Exodus 28:42-43). Thus, Moses provides the origin of God’s laws regarding animal sacrifices to cover his people’s sins and points us to the salvific work of Christ, our Great High Priest (Hebrews 5:7-10), who offered his life to cover our sins. In both instances, God initiates reconciliation by covering our nakedness (i.e., guilt) so that we can draw near to him (because he otherwise cannot be in our presence).
Regarding God casting Adam and Eve out of the garden, Moses reveals to his audience their futility in seeking what they could never obtain: to be like God (3:5-7), for such folly leads only to unhappiness. As theologian John Sailhamer contends, “Man, who had been created ‘like God’ in the beginning (1:26), found himself after the Fall curiously ‘like God’—but no longer ‘with God’ in the garden (v.22). In this subtle verbal interchange, the author has shown that man’s happiness (ṭôḇ, ‘good’) does not consist of his being ‘like God’ so much as it does his being ‘with God,’ enjoying the blessings of his presence” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, p.59). Indeed, as David confirms in his Miktam (teaching psalm), we find joy in our Lord’s presence: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11 ESV).
Our takeaway? There are two. First, like Adam and Eve, seeking equality with God (i.e., pursuing a life where we do what is right in our eyes; see Judges 17:6) will only lead us to shame and misery. In contrast, if we pursue God and what is right in his eyes, we will find sustaining joy and happiness in his presence. Secondly, because God has covered our nakedness (i.e., guilt) in Christ (our great high priest who faced temptations in every aspect as us but without sinning), we can now approach the throne of grace with confidence, seeking mercy and finding grace to help us when we struggle (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Our part? Put on his garments. Seek Christ’s cover every day:
- Start our daily communing with Christ through Scripture and prayer.
- Continue our day discerning and obeying God’s will and seeking evidence of Christ at work in our and others’ lives.
- Conclude our day by reflecting on the Father and Son’s goodness and giving them thanks and praise.
What’s in view here is not a rigid, legalistic standard but fluid elements of a confident, grace-filled relationship with our Lord that matures our love for him and our neighbor.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, through the sacrifice of his life, covered our sins and resulting guilt and opened the way to a meaningful, joyful relationship with you. Still, we confess there are times when we seek equality with you, desiring to do what is right in our eyes. When we do, and your spirit convicts us, would you please draw us out of hiding where we put back on your Son’s garments, receive your mercy, and find your grace to help us in our time of need? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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