they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings

When I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, which by the way is now in remission, I had to undress in the presence of female nurses. I was told a number of times “I’m not seeing anything I haven’t seen before!” Well, this was certainly true of Adam and Eve too, but after they had eaten of the forbidden fruit, they nevertheless felt the need to cover themselves. And fig leaves were likely the only thing at hand! But why? Well, when we are covered in guilt or shame, the natural thing seems to be the need to hide. Before the fall they were naked but not ashamed (Genesis 2:25), but now? In Revelation 6:16 we read that on that day, the unbeliever will say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” But as we will see in the verse following the one quoted above (Genesis 3:8), they were not yet hiding from God. So from what or whom were they hiding?

Well, they were hiding from each other, and actually from themselves. Somebody once jokingly wondered what would happen in the autumn, when the leaves were falling. But behind the joke is the truth, that anything with which we (as opposed to Him) try to cover ourselves, is inadequate. The Scripture tells us for example “He who covers his sin will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13). There is a recovery saying to the effect that we are only as sick as our secrets. The point is that in the darkness of hiddenness shame, guilt and the like simply grow and grow. But it cannot be hidden forever, since sooner or later, our sin will find us out” (Numbers 32:23). It was soon to happen with Adam and Eve, and it will happen with you and me!

But what is the cure for that debilitating feeling that if anyone ever found out what I did, or what happened, I would simply die? As we shall see, there are early glimpses of the solution in this very chapter. But jumping ahead, the cure for guilt, is to be forgiven. And the means by which God could be still be just and forgive us (1 John 1:9) was to be found in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. But the work on the cross, was not restricted to purchasing our forgiveness (the cure for guilt). In particular, as part of the process of crucifixion, the victim was stripped naked. Shame and humiliation was part of the punishment. And part of what it means that He cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 again) is another substitution, it is the substitution of our shame for His full acceptance with the Father.

Father, the second part of Proverbs 28:13 quoted above says “but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” Thank you Lord, that there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). And thank you Father that included in Your redemptive plan, is the provision for our healing, for the abundant life, for life in all its fullness (John 10:10b). As I know full well Lord, this is not automatic, and I ask You to continue to help me on this journey of recovery to fullness of life. And I will continue to give You all the honour and glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen

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