Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Where was God?
Read Genesis 3:1-24

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1

Where was God when the conversation began in verse 1? Omnipresent God was there, watching, listening. Eve overstated on the fruit, but she did OK. Then came the lie (v 4). Where was God? Why didn’t He intervene? This is very perplexing. For most Asians, to 'campur tangan' (interfere in another’s affair) is a way of life, almost a birthright!

To intervene, God would have denied Eve and Adam their freedom to choose. Freedom and responsibility were God’s gifts to humankind when He created man in His own image. But the Eden pair failed. Instead of speaking up for God, they decided to believe the serpent. They questioned God’s love for them. Instead of obedience and loyalty, they rebelled. They ended up sewing fig leaves for themselves.

Where was God? Why didn’t He come out in judgment? He was grieving - grieving that His perfect creation had been destroyed. He was grieving because He knew the only way to redeem the human race from eternal condemnation is the sacrifice of His beloved Son. In mercy He waited for Adam and Eve to repent. Perhaps they would approach and confess. In agape love, He foretold that a Saviour would come. In compassion, He continued to provide better garments of skin to replace their fig leaves.

This is our God–merciful, loving and compassionate even in the face of betrayal.

Freedom at a price. We enjoy the freedom; Jesus had to pay the price.

Forgive us, Lord, for our disobedience, our betrayal and our ungratefulness. Help us to treasure Your great love for us. Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price to save us.