Present Reality
and he said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10
I Was Naked – Adam doesn’t say, “I was naked.” Oh, I know. That’s the way the text is translated because in order to make the verbs agree within the sentence, they need to be in the past tense. But Hebrew tenses are not like English. In this case, the Hebrew phrase, ki-eirom anochi, literally means “because naked I.” The verb is implied as is usually the case with the present tense equivalents in Hebrew. In other words, the Hebrew text tells us that Adam said, “I am naked,” not “I was naked.” Adam is not describing a past condition that has now been corrected. Yes, he attempted to cover himself with fig leaves, but the effort made no difference. He is still naked in spite of the fact that he wears a man-made covering. What we discover is that nakedness is not an external condition. Adam is naked on the inside. Covering up his skin makes no difference whatsoever.
What does it mean to be naked on the inside? It means that Adam realizes he is a son of the naked snake. Let’s see why. Remember the verse that uses ‘arum (Genesis 2:25). They were naked (arumim) and not ashamed. There is a direct link between the pre-Fall nakedness and the idea of shame. In order to see why Adam is suddenly afraid of being naked, we need to know what this connection really means. The Hebrew phrase is lo yitbo-shashoo. The verb is bosh, connected once again to the particle hoo. This adds emphasis to the meaning. Specifically, these two were naked and not ashamed. What the text says is shocking. We don’t expect it. Put an exclamation point behind these words! We expect that nakedness brings shame, but not here. Why?
What about bosh? Perhaps surprisingly, it has nothing to do with sex. This is not a statement that they were sexually naked but not embarrassed. Any translation that suggests embarrassment in this phrase misses the point. The word bosh is used in the prophets and Psalms to describe disgrace that comes from undertaking something that fails. It is used to describe humiliation, loss of status and exposure as foolish. In many occurrences, bosh is tied to the catastrophe that befalls Israel when they forget God. Notice the use in Zephaniah 3:11: “In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against Me; for then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain.” It is quite clear that the parallel to “shame” is “proud” and “haughty.” Israel’s false pride brings shame upon them. What is shame? Shame is being discovered without a relationship with the Lord. Why is that shameful? Because it leads directly to a false view of life, alienation and destruction. It is the ultimate foolishness.
So, why were Adam and Eve naked and not ashamed? Because the only “covering” they needed was their intimacy with God who walked with them in the cool of the evening. They were not disgraced, humiliated or discovered with false pride because at this point they were in perfect harmony with the Creator and His creation. They were utterly transparent. When they met the naked snake, who was not transparent, they were invited to become aware of the possibility of a hidden agenda. They were invited to wear a covering, not of clothes, but of concealed desire. In other words, they were invited to become like the snake who appeared as one thing on the outside and something else on the inside.
What is shame? It is to be found out! Shame is being exposed as two-faced, being revealed so that others see that I have a hidden persona. Why is Adam afraid of being naked? Because now Adam knows the difference between transparency and hypocrisy and, for the first time, he sees himself as two different people – one who is expected to be with God walking in the Garden and the other who knows that he has failed and cannot openly walk with God. Adam is not afraid of God’s punishment. He is afraid of himself for now he knows that he is a dual personality. He has discovered the yetzer ha’ra (evil impulse) within and allowed it to shape his being in the world. Now he knows something about his world is terribly wrong – and he made it happen. Adam never needed to be afraid of shame in a world of perfect harmony, but that world has been destroyed. Now he has been found out and that experience propels him into a fallen world.
Since that day, each of us must struggle with bosh for we are both hidden and revealed. Restoration means return to unashamed existence where I am no longer afraid to be exposed. Restoration means transparency – and for sinners like Adam, that can only come when the One who has found us out brings reconciliation and redemption. The measure of your willingness to be reconciled and redeemed is the measure of your unashamed presentation. Are you willing to be found out – and forgiven?
Topical Index: shame, bosh, afraid, naked, Genesis 3:10
Good morning Skip,
Thanks for this word today. It is good to always keep in mind that “the kingdom of YHVH which is now here mandates our transparency and of course our admission of guilt and shame.
Doesn’t matter how hard we try …. we are guilty! Praise YHVH for the covering that is Yeshua.
Skip … would you say that a big part of being re-born is embracing and sharing in the shame of Yeshua being crucified?
For the most part the atoning act by Yeshua is viewed as “glorious” yet we know it is “shameful” to this world of non-believers.
Paul often times discusses “shame” and in a variety of contexts …. your thoughts?
Drew
Hi Drew,
I don’t mean to be argumentative, because I know guilt and shame and my impression of Paul is he feels a lot of guilt and shame and he often seems to project a lot of his guilt and shame onto others. Like the poor ignorant fools who were worshipping the tree frogs.
I don’t have the same sense of Jesus, who seems always to project lovingkindness. I remember, of course, when Jesus gets angry with those guys on the boat in Mark; tough breed, men that can endure, professionals, probably pretty smart too, in the same boat with Jesus; but they lose faith in God and Jesus get mad at them, then goes back to sleep.
I think if we stay connected to God, we don’t need to feel guilt and shame and to project it onto others. Of course we always have the old yetzer ha’ra to contend with, but best not to focus on it unnecessarily IMO 🙂
Mike
Argumentative … no such thing 🙂 … always room for discussion and other thoughts.
My thoughts on shame were in the context of sharing Mashiach’s shame of the cross (we know it to be glorious)! This is our duty to the world …. in spreading the kingdom … there is no shame in Mashiach.
To your point however please note that “grace” is a gift that mandates a response. That response results in our recognition of our state and continued fraility (David is the perfect example of this). The purpose of our walk on the path (ha derech) is moving closer back to the source. Our purpose is be holy and separated for His work.
As far as viewing Yeshua in a mode of “loving kindness” … no doubt this is core to His character. But He is G_D. He is unchanging and He is also the same YHVH Who is the Terror and Consuming Fire. Through The Spirit He rebukes us because He loves us. As such we should be shamed in Spirit when we falter …. yet rebound for He covers us.
If our faith however is such that we do not respond by pursuing the path, nor concern ourselves when we fail, or feel shame/remorse when rebuked, then what path are we on? The broad path?
And still further what is our obligation to others? Ezekiel: : 3,17 ‘Son of man, I have appointed thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; and when thou shalt hear a word at My mouth, thou shalt give them warning from Me. 3,18 When I say unto the wicked: Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand. 3,19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
So ultiamtely I suppose we might agree to disagree on this issue. I think we do need to focus upon our failings as a way of being refined. Problem resolution 101 … got to acknowledge the problem before it gets fixed. And if the failings don’t create pain then what motives are there to correct them?
My thoughts anyway!
Shalom,
Drew
Hi Drew,
Very interesting reply. I agree that we do need to focus on our failings. Look forward to rereading your comment when I get home tonight.
Thanks,
Mike
Hi Drew.
Just reread your reply and really enjoyed it 🙂 I love the part about Ezekiel: : 3,17 ‘Son of man.
I definitely don’t disagree with what you are saying, but I was probably thinking about shame and guilt in more psychological terms.
I think it is important to take responsibility for whatever we did to cause our guilt as quickly as possible and to transform it into some positive action in the service of others.
I prefer to think of Yeshua primarily as the Suffering Servant, or the Good Shepherd, and as a model for us to emulate.
I’m a big believer in “fire in the belly” but think we need to be very cautious when it comes to judging others.
So why were they making aprons and not covering their mouth if the sin was “eating the forbidden fruit”? If shame is “to be found out”, why would covering themselves with fig leaves attempt to illiminate the shame of eating a piece of fruit? Again, I think of my kids covering their mouth when they are discovered in the cookie jar. YHWH’s actions always make sense. There has GOT to be more to this than our limited mind and lost in translation Bibles are giving us.
To Drew,
AMEN AMEN!!!
Drew, I can tell you’ve been meditating on this topic. Thanks for your addition to Skip’s great post. My simple summation is to say that I want to walk in a “confident humility” before God and man.
Yolanda, thanks for the interesting comment on the fig leaves. I also wonder why Adam and Eve didn’t cover their MOUTHS. Perhaps we will learn more about this.
I am pretty sure that the covering of the organs of procreation was done because of the introduction into their thought processes (or awareness) of s_x for the sake of straight physical pleasure.
Don’t get me wrong here …. the physical union of man and woman is by no means a bad thing. However when we look at Scripture and see all of the commentary relative to this topic, etc. it is clear that YHVH knows the hearts and desires of people, when as Skip noted, we are being crafty.
The issue of the fig leaves is so very poignant to the very existence of people from that point on in history. Look at the results of craftiness: power, horded wealth, war and of course s_x. Given the availability and intimacy of s_x to virtually all people it would have to be contended that s_x … or the misue of s_x should be a serious topic in The Word.
Still further if you look at the results of craftiness in the context of Adam and Eve … it does not appear to me that they would be thinking about power, wealth, war or a host of other things to manipulate. These things would soon come of course! So at a rudimentary level it seems that their awareness took them to a place of crafty convenience …. fornication …. and desire and pleasure …. sadly though not in the context of how YHVH intended man/woman relations. And hence the covering up! They were crafty and the Ruach convicted them!
Hope this sheds some light on the “fig leaves” 🙂
I had to insert s_x to get past some anti-spam filter … thanks Skip 🙂
Genesis 3:7 (“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”) must also be read in light of Genesis 3:21 (“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”)….Ever since the fall we have all been running, hiding from and covering up our guilt before a Holy God. The great problem here is that when Adam saw Eve and Eve saw Adam, they were looking at each other as in a “mirror” – and it was shameful and painful….So obviously, they (like us) attempted to do what they could to mask or cover up this shame and pain but alas, to no real avail….So God sees this ridiculous shamed and guilt ridden couple and He teaches them that the only thing that will truly cover their guilt and shame is, well…blood. From this point forward, true life will only arise through death. And the death of a totally innocent animal that will provide a covering for Adam and Eve…something that God would provide….not man and his impoverished attempts to cover up with fig leaves. In fact, if you look around you will see all kinds of people creating their own “fig leaf” outerwear to a problem that can only be satisfied through the substitutionary and atoning work of an innocent Lamb…the Lamb of God!
David, a good point about how much folks still futility attempt to cover up and the only true covering is the blood of the Lamb of YHWH.
Yes…and it seems to me that there is another point here as well. Once Adam and Eve began to use their own standard for determining “good and evil” (the promise of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) and not looking to God for this standard, their sights were no longer on pleasing, worshiping and serving God in the horizontal. Their standard was now limited to only the horizontal (what I/you think, what I/you see, what I/you feel, what I/you know etc.) rather than vertically…God even asks Adam “who told you that you were naked?” God sure didn’t. Satan didn’t say they were naked. It had to come from comparison = you looking at me and me looking at you and measuring ourselves that way. And ever since that time, sin has caused us to “compare ourselves with ourselves” rather than to look to God for our true condition and ultimately worth…..On that day, Adam and Eve lost their created identities as God intended. Adam lost his “man-ness” and Eve lost her “woman-ness”. And ever since then, men and women alike have been asking “who am I?” and attempting to figure that out without having those identities redeemed in and through Christ. As the great old hymn asks/answers: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Hi David,
One thing you have brought to my attention over time is that I have always been very uncomfortable with “the blood of Jesus.” Very scary to me 🙂
Yes…the Bible is a very “bloody” book. And our old hymnals reflect this bloodiness also….”Nothing but the Blood” and “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” just to mention a couple. The blood, like the cross, reminds us equally of God’s wrath toward sin (death is required) and His love (redeems us or purchases us back by His gracious work of atonement). It is scary…and I am glad it is scary for you and for me. I cannot imagine a God who would do such an incredible act of rescue (becoming man and dying on a criminal’s cross) and not expect those who profess to follow Him to be serious about His claims and demands….CS Lewis put it this way: “Christianity if false is of no importance and if true of infinite purpose. But what it can never be is only of moderate importance.”
Oops….meant to quote “…if true of infinite importance” and not “purpose.” Mea culpa.
This is good David. I will incorporate it in the book, with your permission. I have written about nakedness and shame from a Hebrew point of view, but this adds one more layer.
Skip
Permission granted, brother.