Beautiful Word Devotional #316

But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9

Adam and Eve had chosen to eat from the tree God had forbidden. Soon after their disobedience, God called, “Where are you?” The all-knowing God wasn’t stumped.

No, the holy God knew exactly where now-sinful Adam and Eve were—cowering, hiding in the bushes, desperately trying to cover their nakedness. So why did God ask this question? Because God wants relationship with us even though we sin.

It had been the habit of Adam and Eve to spend time with the Lord in the cool of the evenings. So when God stood where they usually met and the couple wasn’t there, God asked a question that revealed his desire for relationship: Where are you? Why aren’t you here?

God intended to woo them back into relationship. He asked a question because he wanted a response, and Adam responded. God heard the details; we hear God’s cursing of the serpent, the woman, and the man; and then we see the Lord’s grace. He sacrificed an animal to cover their shame. In the future he would sacrifice his beloved Son to cover your sin and mine.

Lord, thank you for wanting to be in relationship with sinful me, amen.