"Love for the Renegade"
Feb. 25, 2020
And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
— Genesis 3:21 (ESV)
For the person who insists the God of the Old and New Testaments is aloof or far removed from human concerns, our text today says differently.
Prior to chapter 3, the book of Genesis has God speaking into existence the heavens and the earth in six days. He calls into being the stars that dot the universe, the fish that swarm the oceans, and everything in between. This was lofty work to be sure. Filling the universe with sun-studded galaxies, complex planetary systems, and a world like ours was no small feat. And to show it was a massive undertaking, God took the seventh day to rest from His labors.
But creation wasn't just about the imaginative act (as awesome as that was!) of calling something into existence out of nothing; it was also about appointing a being to oversee His handiwork. For man, the pinnacle of God's creation, made "in His own image" (Genesis 1:27b), He had very special plans. Humans not only bore the image of God, they were given dominion over His creation. With this delegation of power, God was not only pleased, He declared that "it was very good" (see Genesis 1:27-31).
So far, so good, right? Well, not where man is concerned. Placed into what had to be an idyllic paradise of unbelievable beauty and tranquility, the man was given a simple directive: "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16b-17).
Sounds plain enough. But in time, man—and the woman God gave him—soon found a way to mess it all up. Twisting God's simple command, they turned it to their own ends—and the universe still bellows with the horror of their disobedience.
"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths" (Genesis 3:6-7).
Adam and Eve's blatant disrespect for God, and their slick duping by the serpentine powers of darkness, left them naked and afraid. Their single act undermined mankind completely. A fruitful life of keeping God's garden in His company had been sabotaged by their deliberate disobedience. The deed was done; the wheels were set in motion. Now, rather than run to the sovereign King of creation, they ran from His presence, thinking some trees would give them the secrecy they suddenly sought.
Though their sin alienated them from God's presence, His care didn't end there. There was one more act of creation in store: "And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21).
God—He never stops giving. Though we rebel and turn away, God covers us with His love. He did it in the garden; He did it on the cross. He is always on our side.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your mercy knows no bounds. Thank You for covering us with Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you feel like you're a creative person? What can you create—furniture, theories, music, etc.?
- How do you think God actually made something for Adam and Eve to wear?
- Has God clothed you when you needed protection? What were the circumstances?
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you feel like you're a creative person? What can you create—furniture, theories, music, etc.?
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