QT 7/22/2025 Gen 3:20–24, Learning from failures

Genesis 3:20–24 (ESV) —

20 The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

 

NOTE: The information is sparse, but it seems Adam has learned and is now taking leadership again. He continues his previous prerogative of naming, and gives Eve a name that represents his belief in her and God's word that she would give life to all that would ever live. He depends upon her as she also willingly depends upon him. The clothing is a reminder that they can never walk in innocence again because of their sin.

 

Of note, is that while God "made" the world in the first six "yom's," he now makes something else, a garment from animal skin. It is not said, but I assume there was a sacrifice of the animal to produce this covering (a mild reference to tabernacle). Later we will see Abel bringing forth an offering from his flock, so we can assume the practice started in the garden.

 

The garden is closed off, lest man eat of the tree of life and live forever (that was the original plan). There is something about the tree of life that was designed to rejuvenate our cells such that we would not age. I believe the earth was also protected by a heavier water vapor atmosphere than today, reducing the destructive effect of x-rays from space. Consequently, we see the early generations living to almost 1000 years. As sin increased in the world, life spans decreased, and after the flood (a true climate changing event), the decrease is dramatic.

 

Adam made mistakes but he learned from his failures and his sin. Sometimes, as men, we get off track, and when we do, we must not quit or say "well, that's the way I am." We have to pick ourselves up and go back to doing what we should be doing. We (men) are supposed to be leading our families spiritually and providing for them physically -- how are we doing?

 

PONDER:

1. How am I (a man) doing as a spiritual leader for the family? What do I need to do to get back on track?
2. If I am a woman, how am I doing supporting my husband in his role as spiritual leader of the family?

 

PRAYER: Father, I thank you that Jesus, through his death on the cross for sin, has restored some of the privileges that Adam enjoyed. We still await our new body, the millennial kingdom where you rule on earth, and access to the tree of life. But the process has started and your promises always come true.