Chapter 3 marks a dramatic shifting point for the entire book of Genesis, and even throughout the Scriptures. Before this time, everything that had been made was good, and there was harmony between the Creator and His people, and between the created people. Unfortunately, it did not remain that way.
Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the garden. Notice in the previous chapter, they could have eaten from any tree in the entire garden, except for 1. Furthermore, they were “naked and unashamed.” The implication with this is one of innocence, and of full disclosure. They had nothing to hide from each other, and they had nothing to hide from their God.
Then along came the serpent, and tempted Eve. His strategy is one that is still employed regularly today: make that which is forbidden seem preferred. Notice Eve’s response: She was prepared to initially resist the serpent’s advances, as she sated her desire to completely stay away from the tree which God forbade. However, as the tempter spoke to her, that which she initially refused suddenly became “desirable.” She then took it, ate, gave it to her husband, and they enjoyed a moment of indulgence in something that someone had convinced them they could not live without.
Imagine a gift that you might give to someone whom you love the most. Think of this as a very special gift, something into which you put a great deal of time and effort. You would probably feel an excited anticipation to give this gift to this person, as you wait for the opportunity to arrive. Finally, you get to present it to that person, and watch eagerly as they open it…
…and immediately say, “Well, this is alright, but it’s not really good enough for me.” You would be devastated! All the energy you devoted to this person you love is returned with apathetic ingratitude.
Imagine how God felt when Adam and Eve treated His tremendous gift to them with such apathy. You have an idea of the heartbreak involved, right? Now, imagine how our own sin affects Him. Take some time to consider how it breaks the Father’s heart when we choose short-term pleasure over the immeasurable gifts he gives us. Think about how it grieves the Father’s heart when we take for granted that He sent His Son to be sacrificed for us, only to watch us treat it as if it did not matter to us.
It is only in this context that we truly see the extraordinary compassion that God has for those whom He calls His people. After noticing that the humans were no longer comfortable with complete openness and nakedness, after listening to their pathetic excuses and observing them pass the blame, God still comes up with a plan to save them, to draw people of faith toward Himself. We see this plan played out throughout Scripture, and we see it especially in Genesis.
Considering this story, we are compelled to come to a more genuine appreciation for what Jesus did for us: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:6-11, italics added).
Helpless. Ungodly. Sinners. Enemies. And God responds in love, taking the ultimate step to reconcile people to Himself while they are still in rebellion! Our minds cannot fully comprehend the immense measure of His love. However, as we consider God’s response to His people’s rebellion in Genesis, let us take time to reflect on such love, and what it speaks about the heart of the Father.
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