29 APRIL
Full of shame
‘And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.’ Genesis 3:7
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 25:1–22
The immediate consequences for Adam and Eve were:
(i) Their eyes were opened. Satan had blinded them but, when the Lord pleased, they came to themselves; they knew now the difference between good and evil. The full meaning of these expressions I am not able to explain. They were naked before, but now they were sensible of such a change in their state, that they were ashamed of themselves.
(ii) They made a covering of fig leaves. An emblem of the poor expedients of sinners, to supply their own wants, to hide their own shame and to satisfy their consciences by their own performances.
Here was the first sin—which indeed contained all other sins in one—idolatry, rebellion, robbery and murder—yet they found mercy. Here is encouragement to convinced souls—the Lord Christ who was revealed to them as the Seed who should break the serpent’s head is preached amongst you. Say not your sin is great and therefore no hope—so was Adam’s, but where sin abounded, grace has much more abounded.
FOR MEDITATION:
O, speak that gracious word again,
Oh then let saints and angels join,
And cheer my drooping heart!
And help me to proclaim,
No voice but thine can soothe my pain,
The grace that healed a breach like mine,
Or bid my fears depart.
And put my foes to shame!
And canst thou still vouchsafe to own
Dear LORD I wonder and adore,
A wretch so vile as I?
Thy grace is all divine;
And may I still approach thy throne,
Oh keep me, that I sin no more
And Abba, Father, cry?
Against such love as thine!
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 8 [3/3], GENESIS 3:6–7
Milo 