Perfection Lost Series

Last week we looked at the temptation presented by the serpent. Today, we look at the immediate consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin. Next week, the long term curses and consequences.

Genesis 3:6 “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (3:7)

Their eyes were opened: loss of innocence

They realized they were naked: they were guilty

They made coverings for themselves: they were full of shame

God’s questions:

1. Where are you?

2. Who told you were naked? (Who have you been listening to?)

3. Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?

3. What is this you have done?

WHERE ARE YOU?

God knew he was hiding, otherwise he wouldn’t have asked. This question implies that Adam is not where he should be. The relationship has been severed and needs repair. Sin separates.

Isaiah 59:1-2 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Adam, where are you?

As a result of this original sin, there was immediate separation between the Creator and His creation. Adam, himself, articulates the consequences of this separation:

Genesis 3:10 “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

1. I was afraid – Adam experienced fear for the first time

2. Because I was naked – Adam experienced guilt for the first time

3. So I hid – Adam experienced shame for the first time

Fear. Guilt. Shame. These are the same things we all experience when we sin.

Does the command itself make us feel afraid, guilty or shameful? No! These are a result of our sin! Today, people want to blame God or his commands for their feelings of guilt and shame, not realizing that it comes from their own sin, their own disobedience!

Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Isaiah 59:2 “…your iniquities have separated you from your God.” God is calling all of us by name, “Where are you?”

The Hebrew word for separated in this Isaiah passage conveys the idea of a division, usually by a wall or curtain. We see its use in the instructions for building the tabernacle in Exodus 26…

Exodus 26:33 (building of the tabernacle) “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”

Josephus reported that the curtain was 4 inches thick; was renewed every year, and that horses tied to each side could not pull it apart. This curtain signified the separation between the holy God and sinful man.

Nothing in all creation could break down this barrier between God and man. But the power of the Creator could! Remember what happened when Jesus died on the cross?

Mark 15:38 “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

What sin separated, God restored through the sacrifice of his Son!

Hebrews 10:19-25 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Result of Sin: Genesis 3:10 Result of the Savior: Hebrews 10:22

Fear (I was afraid) Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart

Guilt (because I was naked) Hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience

Shame (so I hid) Bodies washed with pure water

2 Peter 3:17-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”