Well, the first lesson should be, never, absolutely never engage in conversation with a serpent. That is where everything started to go downhill. Because where else would Satan strike but at the heart of relationship? And what was Eve thinking?
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.” Genesis 3:7; NASB.
But a fig leaf can’t cover the separation breached in the Garden between the Creator and His Created, nor the deep wounds of sin which now stain the union between man and woman.
That “craftiest beast of the field” planned its strike carefully. Break the sinless bond of God with the bearer of His image and the cracks vein out to all relationships like a shattered mirror.
We try to hide the ugly condition of a heart alienated from a Holy God. We turn away from the uncomfortable gaze of One who sees and we sew coverings. We are ashamed by our inability to thrive in marriage, job and family. We mask ourselves with good deeds, reforms and religiosity and hide behind thin threads of blame and pride.
We try to shield ourselves from the loving eyes of a Savior who sees through skin. We are exposed.
And there is no fig leaf big enough to cover what can’t be hidden.
In Christ alone, we can stand with joy before the Father redeemed and unashamed. But we have to lay down the fig leaves and stand naked before Him in all our sinfulness desperate for His righteousness, trusting in His forgiveness.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21; NASB
Broken relationships today still begin with snake conversations. Oily interactions uncoil with hurt and lies. Vulnerability shuts tight.
And sometimes, we reach again for the ridiculous fig leaf. Reach instead for the mirror of His Word. Jesus already paid with His blood on the cross.
The barrier is destroyed.
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