Revealed!
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:7
Naked – Why did Adam and Havvah realize they were naked? Were they in such a joyous stupor prior to eating from the Tree that they just didn’t think about it? What made them suddenly aware that they weren’t wearing clothes? For that matter, how did they ever imagine that they needed to be covered? Not one single example of creatures with coverings existed in the world. No animal wore pants. Why did they have the need to cover up?
The rabbis tell us that the discovery of their nakedness had almost nothing to do with being exposed. Instead, it had everything to do with being revealed. When Adam and Havvah ate from the Tree, they stripped themselves of the covering of the commandment. They cast off the only “clothing” they needed – obedience to God’s word. They were naked because they no longer had the protection afforded by the mitzvah (the commandment). Once again we see that the Jewish conception of the commandments is real, tangible and concrete. Clothed in God’s commandment, they were safe at home. But disobedience stripped them of that clothing and now they weren’t safe anywhere.
We can “see” a bit more of the implications in the use of the Hebrew verb paqah (to open). The pictograph is “mouth + behind + fence.” “To open (mouth) the fence of what is behind (the future).” When they disobeyed, they looked into their future, a future without covering. No man can live without protection. So they tried to cover themselves – and they failed miserably because the only real covering for human beings is God’s commandments. Their eyes were uncovered to the truth of their predicament. They saw that they were uncovered with uncovered eyes.
This shows us that sin is the loss of covering. It is the loss of mitzvot. Sin is not simply the violation of God’s rules. It is a tangible loss of something we need to survive. It strips us of protection. We are revealed as creatures outside of God’s benevolence. We are destined for death since nothing can survive without God’s covering. Perhaps this little insight into nakedness shines light on the idea of covering in the New Testament. Perhaps it helps us understand a bit more about the covering of the blood. Perhaps it helps us see how vitally important the commandments are for life.
How would your behavior change today if you realized that rejecting or ignoring a commandment of the Lord left you vulnerable and unprotected?
Topical Index: naked, covering, sin, commandments, ‘arumim, Genesis 3:7
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See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
– Deuteronomy 30:15-16
Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
– Revelation 22:14
From beginning to end, Scripture is very consistent. He has told us what to do, and I believe He is delighted when we find ways to implement His Commandments in our lives. Why was King David described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’? Because he LOVED THE COMMANDMENTS.
Even though we can no longer perceive this ‘tangible’ covering, does not mean it does not exist. I have long been convinced that there is more in the unseen world than the seen. Just ‘look at’ how vast it is. How GREAT is our God!
Good morning Gayle, I was looking at Revelation 22:14 from the ESV- Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and that they may enter the city by the gates. There is a footnote that says; some manuscripts do his commandments. Any comments or understanding on this particular verse would be appreciated.
Either way, Revelation is such a clear Jewish Apoclyptic document, and there are other references to the commandments of God in this book, 14:12 and 12:17.
Revelation 1:3- Blessed is the one who READS ALOUD the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Reading aloud this book, and of coure the Scriptures in general, is a great practice and I would recommend it highly. You will be BLESSED!
Hi, Brian,
Earlier this year, we did the study entitled, ‘Boundary Stones’ (First Fruits of Zion). Before that, I do not know that I had ever ‘noticed’ Rev. 22:14. I looked it up in a few different versions, but I must admit, at the time I did not make the connection of ‘robes’ (covering?) to ‘do his commandments’. It kind of stands out now, huh/
I confess that I have not read the book of the Revelation aloud. However, years ago, I did read the Psalms aloud each day. It was a very powerful means of emotional healing for me. It takes about five months to go through them sequentially. I did that for a few years, and the LORD did a powerful work in my life through that discipline.
Yes, reading the Scriptures aloud is such a powerful tool! There is so much to be said about this…………. May the Ruach HaKodesh bring fresh and renewed insight, to the body of Messiah; on the glory and power of reading the Scriptures aloud.
Thanks Gayle, for sharing your testimony on the healing G-d took through on this journey; of reading the Psalms aloud.
-the only real covering for human beings is God’s commandments. Their eyes were uncovered to the truth of their predicament.
G-d said “don’t eat of the tree.” The choice then was to disobey the commandment of YHWH. When lust (strong desire) conceived it brought forth sin/disobedience and death-separation from G-d who is holy) was the consequence. HaSatan’s LSD. Lust, sin and death. We (all) have swallowed this pill, for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of G-d.”
Every one of us have been “revealed” and exposed (praise G-d) and are open and naked in the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. We hide nothing from G-d. He (much more than we) is totally aware of our nakedness and shame. The consequence and companions of sin are separation (death) from G-d and from each other, shame, (our conscience bearing witness) and sorrow. But wait.. there’s more. Take a look around and we don’t have to see very far the results of centuries of sin. Death, disease, destruction, defeat and despair. And this list is far from incomplete. Every choice is followed by a consequence and when we choose to sin- we will reap what we sow.
Adam and Eve knew and we also in our exposed humanity know, we need a covering. What we need is atonement. G-d has promised to provide all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. If atonement is one of our needs, (and it is)- has this atonement been provided? Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. (Genesis 22.7,8).
Did YHWH provide atonement for the first ones ever to sin? What was the covering He provided? Was it a fig leaf? “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3.21) Coats of skin at the cost of life and shed blood.
Yes, let us follow this trail of blood, this red thread, through the whole of our Bible. Let us speak of atoning, propititating, sacrificial, soul-cleansing blood of Calvary’s perfect Lamb. What can wash away my sin? -nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again?- nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh-precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know- nothing but the blood of Jesus.
One more commandment of the LORD we should obey. It is written: “believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” He came unto His own and His own received Him not, but as many as received Him to them gave He the authority to become the sons of G-d, even to them who believed in His name.” “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins. ” (Matthew 1.21) Therefore G-d has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of G-d the Father. ” (Philippians 2.9-11)
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10) To G-d be the glory, great things He has done. So loved He the world, that He gave us the Son. Who yielded His life an atonement for sin? And opened the life-gate so all may go in? For G-d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3.16) -He who has the Son has life.. (1 John 5.12) His name is Wonderful. Jesus. Lamb of G-d. Savior. Hallelujah! -G-d has provided Himself a Lamb.
‘Perhaps it helps us understand a bit more about the covering of the blood.’
Hi Skip,
Could you point us to some examples of what you mean by the “covering of the blood?”
Thanks,
Mike
Just as the commandment offered safety and protection for Adam and Havvah, so the blood of the sacrifice offers protection and safety for those who are otherwise exposed. The sacrifice replaces what we lost in disobedience. It offers “innocence” in the place of willful transgression and thereby restores the proper protection. The biblical view that life is in the blood implies that giving life is required for restoring life (measure for measure). The death of the innocent redeems the life of the wicked. The covering provided by the blood is a new set of clothes for those who are naked. There are plenty of examples in Scripture of this principle. Of course, Yeshua is the primary one, but every blood sacrifice is a picture of the need for restoring the protection offered by the mitzvot.
Does this help?
Yes. Thanks Skip!