From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Not Ashamed” “Ashamed” Sewn Fig Leaves Bloody Animal Skins

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Not Ashamed” What is the significance of Adam and Eve’s nakedness without shame? Genesis 2:25 is a bridge to understanding Genesis 3 and the fall. There is a great contrast between Genesis 2:25 and Genesis 3:7. We can only understand the beauty of this moment by the contrast of Chapter 3.

Genesis 3:7 (NASB) 7  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Not Ashamed” Adam and Eve had no shame in: Their relationships to God – the idea of no guilt or shame from notice to staring. (Sartre) “The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible.” John Wesley Their relationships to others – contrast of being ourselves as in first dates and marriage. Their relationships to themselves – this speaks to appearance, hectic pace, and quiet.

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Ashamed” Innocence is gone! Never to be regained! The painful effects of being ashamed Guilt (guilt feelings) – dealt with through denial (blame shift) Shame – from the difference between us and a holy God, dealt with through concealment Fear – terror of the known and the unknown, dealt with through flight

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Ashamed” Concealing shame by not recognizing sin as sin Looking at the outside instead of the inside Focusing on corporate sin rather than our own wrong doing Assuming that time cancels sin Thinking there is safety in numbers

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 “Ashamed” Examples from this passage Guilt – Adam and Eve place blame. Shame – They sew fig leaves. Fear – They hide.

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 Sewn Fig Leaves Lessons from the leaves We cannot hide from God. Running only increases our misery while God still loves and cares for us – Psalm 139:7-12.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NASB) 7  Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8  If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 Sewn Fig Leaves Lessons from the leaves. We cannot hide from God. Running only increases our misery while God still loves and cares for us – Psalm 139:7-12. We are not able to cover our sin. What a feeble attempt to fool God and make things right! Example of the cursed fig tree We are unable to recognize our sin and the remedy for it. Why did Adam and Eve not run to God? Who sought out whom?

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 Bloody Animal Skins The remedy for sin is found in Genesis 3:21.

Genesis 3:21 (NASB) 21  The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

From Innocence to Shame Genesis 3 Bloody Animal Skins The remedy for sin is found in Genesis 3:21. Sin is real! But, so is atonement! “Where are you?” Have you found the God who is seeking you?