Third Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Genesis 3:8-15                      

Genesis 3:8-15

I would venture that most of those who read these meditations regularly know the account of our first parents in the garden. First man. First woman. Fully provided for with the watchcare of their Maker. Promises given. And one restriction. And then….failure. Complete and total and willful. Failure.

In our text today we have the “first gospel.” So termed by theologians across the centuries, “Proto Euangelion.” We read the account now and realize that we must have it. Without it, there is no promise, no redemption, nothing that’s good. Nothing. Why? Because sin covered and undealt with leads only to death. Full and final.

Adam, the head and representative of our race is portrayed here in conversation with His only Master, the God from whose hand he came. And in their discussion of Adam’s rebellion, Adam admitted to his God, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” God responds, “Who told you that you were naked?” Great question. Answer: no one. That is, at least from the outside. You see, the testimony of God’s Word is that man is created with the Law of God on his heart. So at root, it is the God who spoke creation into existence, who gave his law (instruction) to Adam and his wife, who in turn rescued Adam through that same Word. And it is not Adam’s hiding nor his own efforts at clothing himself that saves him. It is the Word of the Lord and His provision that covers Adam and his wife and that maintains the exchange of life, and heart, and a sure future together. And the Word of promise in Genesis 3:15 seals it. Guarantees it. Forever.

No one told Adam he was naked. He was both made aware, and saved by the “speech” of the only One who could see the depths of his rebellion. And so are we. That’s the message we need to hear.