Posted on : 05 May, 2007
Subject : Attempting to Hide From God
Attempting to Hide From God
Where are you? After Eve and Adam had eaten of the fruit that Yahweh had forbidden, He asked: "Where are you?" [Genesis 3:9] Eve and then Adam had violated a direct, plain commandment from God. How did they respond to their guilt? They covered themselves with leaves, and hid themselves in the garden, having fear of the anger of Yahweh. They feared stern judgment and death. How did Yahweh respond? Instead of accusing them or berating them - instead of vaporizing them with lightning bolts - instead of being sarcastic or exploding in a rage - He asked them, "Where are you?" Up until that point, Adam and Eve had understood the commandments of Yahweh, and that there would be consequences for breaking His rules, but they did not yet understand His grace. Instead of confessing and repenting of their wrong-doing, they tried to conceal their sin. They did not know how merciful Yahweh is. They had not realized that He can see our deepest parts, and that we do not really ever succeed in hiding from Him. Yes, Adam and Eve did face consequences for their sin. But they were not vaporized, humiliated, or in any way abused by God. They were treated fairly, and went on to live several hundreds of years. We all have disobeyed the Laws of Yahweh. And we generally, like Adam and Eve, try to cover ourselves from the all-seeing view of God. When we have sinned, we separate ourselves from Elohim. When we admit our sins, and repent, we return to closeness with God. We can learn from the story of how Eve and Adam and Yahweh each reacted to the first sin. Although there are consequences for our sins, when we sincerely ask forgiveness of God, it will be granted to us. Instead of trying to hide or cover up the matter, we ought to admit it. When we have truly repented, we are "insiders" again, instead of "outsiders". Yes, sin has unpleasant consequences, but once we repent, we can once more be cradled in the loving grace and mercy of Elohim. When we have committed sin, God still asks: "Where are you?" Where did that action get you? What have you learned from that? Did your sin separate you from Me? Where are you? Why not return to Me now?”
David Bruce Clark Lion of God Ministries www.lionofgod.com
