caput I

Genesis 3:8 (NRSV) They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate." 14 The LORD God said to the serpent,

"Because you have done this,

cursed are you among all animals

and among all wild creatures;

upon your belly you shall go,

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike your head,

and you will strike his heel." 

This story fascinates me on many levels. First all the "Swiss Cheese" things you're not supposed to notice, ie., God is a. walking b. that his walking makes a sound c. that you can 'hide' from God and He can't find you LOL!

This must present quite a paradox to the biblical fundamentalist. 

OK moving on, since I'm not a fundamentalist I want to explore some meanings in this story. Obviously the blame game is going on heavy here, "She made me eat it" "The serpent tricked me.." In asking the question "What is this that you have done?" of course God knows full well what it is but now His creation must reflect on his actions. He had  been given a paradise that required only his tending and to enjoy it with the stipulation that he avoid that tree. Actions have consequences. Since you did something another thing will result from it. In this story banishment from the garden. 

In this story 'man' first becomes aware of himself, he learns that he is naked. And that he must cover himself. Lets focus less on the physical nudity and more on the lesson. Man has to take responsibility.He surrendered child like bliss for knowledge, for responsibility.  There is no going back from this point. 

We can use this story to teach children and recall ourselves that each decision we make will have a result. Do I eat coffee and toast and run out the door, or plan a good breakfast. Do I promise a friend something they ask for with no intention of doing it just to get them to leave me alone saving for a later day the broken promise ...you get the idea, right? Lets try to always to see the consequence of each decision.

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.