God’s First Recorded Question
We can be so busy asking questions of God and about God that we fail to hear the questions He is asking us. The very first question is found in Genesis 3:9: The Lord called to the man (Adam), and said to him, “Where are you?”
Why would the Almighty do that? Does God have poor vision? Is it possible for any of us to hide from Him? Surely the Lord God knew where Adam was and what had happened, so why the question?
As you read the account it becomes apparent the searching out by God and the seeking question was for Adam’s sake. Here was his chance to come clean, take responsibility and own up to what he had done. Instead of that Adam tries to explain his and Eve’s situation by blaming her. Then she blames the Serpent.
Humans are a funny bunch. As Adam and Eve tried hiding their nakedness with fig leaves, we do the same with the spiritual/moral equivalents. Trouble arises when we hear within our heart and mind the searching, questioning voice of God. We experience dread. The very first time we read of fear is in this account. What we sew together by our own efforts will never stop the penetrating gaze of the Lord. Isaiah 64:6 reveals how we really see ourselves when God calls out and our ‘leaves’ unravel. ‘We have all become like one unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.’
Within Society are those who seek to promote nakedness as a life style. The problem is the so called body beautiful falls apart with wear, tear and age. It needs covering for appearance sake, for comfort sake and for self respect. That which is true physically applies to the spiritual. Our opinions of our goodness when honestly assessed sag, slip and shame us. How can we stand before the questioning God in our self righteous garment of leaves or be bold in our nakedness?
“Adam, where are you” is God’s way of calling you (as the Adam of Genesis) to be truthful about your rebellion. It is also a plea to accept your inadequate protection from the mire of ungodly actions and attitudes you have fallen into. In the Genesis account you will notice that the Lord God provided a covering for the man and woman. In a similar though spiritual manner He has provided covering for you and anyone who is prepared to step out of their ‘leaves’ and cover their nakedness.
There is much to be said about how God did this. Simply put it involved Jesus Christ, the cross and the resurrection. Now the Lord offers you, me, anyone a good spiritual and moral cleansing and new garments acceptable through all eternity. This is Heaven’s designer label. It bears the brand ‘Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour.’ Galatians 3:26-27 invites you into Heaven’s fitting room to be properly dressed for ever and a day. ‘In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.
How do you know when the Lord is asking you that question? If you are feeling a little uneasy about your standing in His presence at this moment, then He is calling you. Reveal yourself to Him. Claim His mercy and ask to be clothed eternally in Christ Jesus’ righteousness. You will never need feel naked again or hide behind the leaves of fading self effort.
(Ray (eternally dressed in Christ Jesus) Hawkins
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