The Gospel According to Genesis - Genesis 3 (Part 4)

Genesis 3:20–24 NET

20 The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made garments from skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God expelled him from the orchard in Eden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. 24 When he drove the man out, he placed on the eastern side of the orchard in Eden angelic sentries who used the flame of a whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

Adam was given rule over all the animals

His first act as ruler & authority over the animals was to name them

Now the world is cursed & man is said to rule over woman

The next thing we see after the pronouncement of curses…

Is Adam naming the woman

His naming her likely suggests his position of authority over her

But, there may be some hope in the name he chooses to give her

The last thing we read last week was…

God telling Adam that he was going to die (return to the dust)

Death is the destiny of humanity

But Adam names his wife “Eve” = Life

Even though death is humanity’s eventual destination…

There is hope of life continuing

And this woman will be the mother of it all

We already talked a little bit about God covering humanity with an animal skin

We’ll briefly touch on it again

Humanity tried to cover their nakedness & shame…

But their attempts with fig leaves was inadequate

Instead of God leaving them in their shame…

He sacrificed an animal & used its skin to cover their shame

A few weeks ago, we talked about how:

The first animal sacrifice was made by God on humanity’s behalf

Animal sacrifices to cover humanity’s sin & shame would become the norm

But eventually God would offer another sacrifice on humanity’s behalf

He would become human himself & give himself as a sacrifice…

To completely cover/atone for our sin & shame

Now we can be clothed in Christ

No more shame, guilt, or condemnation

After humanity ate the forbidden fruit…

God noticed that humanity had become like God, knowing good & evil

Now God is concerned that humanity…

Will try to eat from the tree of life & live forever

Why is this a problem?

I believe it is because God doesn’t want humanity living forever in a fallen state

Redemption must come before restoration

So God banishes humanity from the garden of Eden

They were kicked out of God’s sanctuary:

Eden was on a mountain & they had perfect access/communion with God there

Eden was the first “temple”

Humanity were meant to act as priests in God’s temple:

To serve & watch over the garden/temple

But they failed & so they were kicked out

God drove them out & then put a cherubim & flaming sword…

At the east of the garden

This probably means they were exiled to the east

This is a foreshadowing of God’s people (Israel)…

Being exiled from the promised land to the east in Babylon

We find the word “cherubim” over 90 times in the Scriptures

What are they?

They seem to be spiritual beings of some sort

They are described as guardians & protectors of God’s presence & glory

When making the Tabernacle (God’s tent)…

The Israelites were to make 2 Cherubim of Gold…

To sit on & guard the Mercy Seat…

Where God’s presence could be found in the Most Holy Place

God is often described as sitting or being enthroned above the Cherubim

They were also to make 10 linen curtains for the Tabernacle

And the curtains were to be embroidered with Cherubim

In Psalm 18, David describes God as riding on a Cherub

The Scriptures don’t give us a very good idea of what a Cherub looked like

But we know they were presented as guardians to God’s presence

So humanity was kicked out of Paradise/the garden of Eden

And the Cherubim made sure they couldn’t reenter

But there was also a flaming sword

They may represent judgment to anyone who tries to enter back into God’s presence

Humanity was cut off from God’s presence

This would be symbolized by the furnishings of the Tabernacle/Temple…

Through Israel’s history

But when Jesus comes, he removes the barrier between God & humanity

At his death, the temple curtain/veil was torn in 2

Symbolizing that there is no more separation

No more need for Cherubim to guard God’s presence…

Because Jesus has provided a way for us to have access to Him again

Jesus passed through the sword of judgment for us…

And opened up the way back to Paradise/Eden

Hebrews 4:14–16 NET

14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

🙋 Case Study 4: The Covering – Self-Made or God-Given?

Scenario: ________ feels like she has to prove her worth to God. She reads her Bible, serves at church, and tries to do everything right. But she lives in fear that if she messes up, God will withdraw from her. Her identity is based on her performance.

Ties to Genesis 3:

Adam and Eve making fig leaves—self-made covering.

God providing a better covering through sacrifice.

Discussion Questions:

Are we able to adequately cover our sin & shame through good works?

What’s the danger in trying to “cover ourselves” through good behavior?

How does God's provision of garments for Adam and Eve point to Jesus?

What does it mean to be clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:27)?

How can Tasha rest in the righteousness of Jesus?

🙋 Case Study 4: The Covering – Self-Made or God-Given?

Takeaway: Our efforts to cover our guilt will always fall short—only God can clothe us in true righteousness.