The Genesis account of creation is so filled with mysterious symbols and resounding truths that I never tire of thinking about it.

In Genesis 3:16-3:20, God chastises Adam and Eve in the strongest of terms. God says to Adam: "cursed is the ground because of you (3:17)." Imagine how painful this would be to hear directly from God. It would be like getting fired from your job, being deserted by your spouse and being bitten by your dog all on the same day. Total rejection.

Not quite. Our God always surprises us. Note 3:21: "and the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." This is like your boss firing you then taking you to a clothing store to buy you a new suit. It does not happen very often in the human realm.

Bruce Waltke, in his commentary Genesis (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan) 2001, quotes Brueggemann: "with the sentence given, God does (3:21) for the couple what they cannot do for themselves (3:7). They cannot deal with their shame. But God can, will, and does." They may be expelled from the Garden, but they will be properly dressed. They are still cared for by God.

This is, of course, just the beginning. God cares for his people throughout the tumultuous history of the Old Testament in countless ways. The New Testament gives us the gospel, the good news of Jesus among us, and the hope of eternal life.

There is something that comes full circle. The infinite humility of God is demonstrated in how he allows himself, through Jesus, to be crucified. In this way he becomes naked and vulnerable.

In Luke 23:50 we read about Joseph from Arimathea, a "good and righteous" man:

            This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid (Luke 23:53)."

God allowed himself, in this way, to be clothed by one of his people.

To conclude let us simply turn to Psalm 105:1: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!"
 

Blessings,

Patrick.

 

 

2025 Murray Moerman (more on Creative Commons, the whole book).
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