A Few Clues
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25 ESV
Both – Back to the Garden! We seem to end up here over and over when we look for the biblical models of relationships and interdependency. Each verse is pregnant with powerful imagery that restores our broken and fractured lives. This one answers a lot of questions, or at least hints at the answers.
What does it mean to be naked and not ashamed?
What does it mean to be two but one?
How do we employ power to achieve interdependency?
What is my role with regard to my partner?
Why is this verse the capstone of human being?
What happened to this ideal world?
The Hebrew word shenehem (from shana) is about repetition. In action, it means, “to do again.” From this verb we derive nouns for “two,” “second,” “double,” and “repetition.” The context here expresses “both” but the deeper reality is that Adam and the woman (not yet named) are the original and the “do again.” “Both” means to repeat. The thought is Hebrew, not Greek. “Both” in Greek means two separate but connected entities. But “both” in Hebrew focuses the attention on the action of repeating.
What’s the difference? Imagine two cakes. I can combine them but I will still have two individual entities even if it would be incredibly difficult to pick them apart. But what if I repeat the same actions that brought about the first cake. If I concentrate on the actions, not the product, I have exactly the same movement. Adam and his wife are united in purpose, action, relation, direction – in movement – even though they are different persons (from a Greek viewpoint). Hebrew notices the repetition, not the individuality. Do we? Do we notice the repetition of purpose, direction, action – movement – in our spouse? Do we see that we are both one? Do I notice that my wife’s life is tied to YHWH – that she prays, listens, meditates and worships with the same heart, the same intent? Am I doing what she does? Am I “both,” a repetition of her devotion to God?
What does it mean to be “both naked”? If we think in Greek paradigms, we will probably read these words as two separate ideas. They were individuals who were each naked. But what if “both naked” is Hebraic for “repeated transparency”? What if the unity expressed in repeated action is about interdependency in power? If being naked is a metaphor for the lack of second agendas, a metaphor for full transparency and complete mutual submission, then where is power in this unity? It can only be found in the “do again” actions. There is no power separately. To do is to repeat each other. The reason there is no shame is because there is no awareness of difference. Does that describe your marriage? Are you and your spouse “do again” partners?
Topical Index: both, shana, shenehem, repeat, shame, Genesis 2:25, power
Well, I casually waded in to this TW and immediately sank in over my head again. I will surely need to think this one through thoroughly after I get some sleep!
From my early morning superficial reading, this TW is very pregnant with meaning. My wife is sleeping right now. I’m still up at 4:30am. Guess I need to go ‘both’ and get some rest along with her.
I’ll be back later in the day.
Michael C- a big smile to your post!
Sigh, our world is sooo corrupted, you wouldn’t dream of even walking around your own house naked, lest someone has a binoculars, or worse, a camera trained on you! haha
The first man and woman were very innocent of good and evil, very child-like, and they were the only ones around :-).
“Do we notice the repetition of purpose, direction, action – movement – in our spouse?”
Critical question indeed. I think, often times we don’t, in this day and age, when everyone’s pre-occupied with self esteem, self achievement, etc, to truly appreciate their spouses.
Though they may say they are ONE, but their actions by observation, say otherwise, as one places the other in submission.
In Hebraic terms, they have nothing to hide from each other as man and woman, they are transparent to each other, that is the beauty of it, as we, Torah keepers ought to be transparent to one another, confessing our faults and strengthening our weaknesses.
To be interdependent is community living, supporting each other as ONE Family of many members, watching out for each other rather than criticizing or condemning, but submitting to each other in humility, emunah, love and trust. Amein!
Shalom!
Well said, Ester!
K. Gallagher-Todah!!! 🙂
Shalom, shalom!
For the longest time I never noticed that AFTER they “sewed fig leaves” and covered themselves (Gen. 3:7), but Adam still told God he was naked (Gen.3:10). This led me to think of “naked” more as “feeling exposed”, because their physical bodies were literally covered at the time.
I once saw a research article which said that up to 2/3 of what we say in a day is “explaining ourselves”. We try and ‘cover ourselves’ by bringing up things which counter our character flaws.
A few examples:
**I don’t get something important done in a day – so I end up going on and on to my wife about what I DID do during the day, or the particular difficulties of accomplishing some of the tasks. My procrastination and laziness could be exposed, and so I will cover myself by emphasizing the work I have done and the all the difficulties which can turn a 15 minute project into hours of effort.
**After I had knee surgery, I found myself constantly bringing it up – but what I was really trying to say was, “I know I look out of shape (fat), but it is because of this knee, and am really a healthy person and athletic to the core.” I am covering my lack of self-discipline, or the fact that I really want people to see me as a physical specimen — so I explain why that might not SEEM to be the case.
**Someone I don’t care to hang out with keeps inviting me to things, usually I’m “too busy”. So now as soon as we initiate a conversation – I immediately start talking about the tyranny of my schedule. I’m heading off the invitation. I am covering what I don’t want to be exposed, that I find parts of their personality very aggravating. But Leviticus 19:17 says – “”‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”
Gabe,
And somewhere it says “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” And in Ephesians I think there’s a verse about speaking the truth in love. But I find it really hard to open my mouth to say the difficult things…gently. Usually there’s a big ole lump in my throat that stops the flow of words.
Mazel Tov
So true. It is such a delicate balance. We’ve all seen “the truth” given to people in harsh, judgmental, and hypocritical ways so often – it’s scares us away. We have so many bad examples, it’s difficult to know what the Godly way even looks like.
May God give us all the wisdom to discern and practice in a way pleasing to Him.
Exactly, Gabe. You expressed it perfectly!!!
Hi Gabe,
It is a delicate balance, and balance- weigh, scales or weights, is the word.
Can be pretty sure we recognize pride in harsh judgmental, unkind criticisms, and stubbornness, so these folks aren’t really in truth themselves.
When truth comes, it will surely divide as with bone and marrow, when Meshiach returns with a Two-edged Sword in His mouth! HIS Word will judge us, as to Torah, commandments, Feast Days, Dietary laws, clean and unclean differentiation, which seed we are receiving and chewing on, etc..
We are at an exciting time of learning and relearning, being restored! Amein!
Shalom!
There is a “nakedness”or more accurately, a “naked transparency” far greater than the first Adamah ever knew with his beloved isha and it is this:
~ and no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must (and will!) give account ~ (Hebrews 4.13)
Just this past Sunday we heard a sermon about the prophet Jonah. God said “go,” but Jonah (foolishly) said “no.” – And then proceeded to run from ~ the Presence of the LORD ~.
Are there any who would ask- “Jonah, just where do you think you might possibly go to hide from God?”
Yes, say to the rocks-“fall on us…” – Do you think God does not know what goes on underneath rocks? Where shall you flee from His Presence? – Jonah, you knucklehead -(with sensitive apologies to all the knuckleheads of the world)- but Jonah found out, (and don’t we all?)- of course…- the hard way.
When Jonah was (literally) “hurled” up on to the beach- He made a beeline for Nivevah and was singing all along the way: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Yes, Jonah,- you have. What was it that changed YOUR mind? And caused YOU to repent? Did God, (somehow) get your attention? He does have a way of doing that- and still does it quite effectively, even today.
There’s nothing like a good whack upside the head with a two-by-four to get the ol’ stubborn man’s (er) mule’s attention. (Been “whacked” lately?) “Oh, he’s a good mule, -you just have to get his attention first.”
You ever thank God for that “two-by-four?” or for Him doing whatever it takes to get your (undivided and focused) attention? – Are you listening?- or do we now need an (ahem*) “attention getter?” Anything from a feather on up to a hammer. Whatever it takes- He will provide.
God is still more than able to “prepare a great fish”- and He knows no bounds as far as “creative chastisement!”
Adam.. Eve…- that “fig leave” you have there just ain’t gonna do it. What you both need is “atonement.” Now.. – if only God would provide a covering for us..
YES, in total agreement but I am lacking in expression ! Thank GOD for the maturity that some have and are now found in such a place of ministering and serving as the NATION of Israel is supposed to be.
If we do not lift HIM UP HIGHER and higher in our lives by living the truth, we have nothing within that is worthy of lifting up. To HIM do all the prophets and yes, the apostles give honor.
Thank you Carl and yes, Dorothy too along with all who are heading in the direction of LIFE even tho’ we may not all be at the same station or stage.
GOD is with us.. whom shall we fear..
Carl, you bring such cheer to my heart! I laughed all the way thru to the sobering truth.
Yes, He alone is able to provide the proper garment, and He alone is the only one worthy to keep us from eternal shame. He knows exactly what we need and where it’s supposed to go, and it has to be far more durable than a leaf that has begun to wither while still in our hands!
Thank You, Jesus, for Your Great Love and Amazing Grace that set Your feet on that long dusty road from Bethlehem to Calvary — from womb to tomb.
Jesus, we crown you with praise.
We love and adore You, bow down before You;
Jesus We crown You with praise.
Alpha and Omega, mighty God, the Great I Am; Emmanuel, the Ancient of Days;
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, yet still the sacrificial Lamb;
We love You and we crown You with praise.
What an interesting TW…..I ‘see’ so much in these few short paragraphs and it almost overwhelms me as I try to sort out where I fit into which scenario…or is it all of them?
In today’s world, there is no transparency….and from my experience of trying to walk in Torah as best I can for the last 30 years….there is no real transparency in any church/congregation/fellowship. When people ‘bare their heart’ and share their most intimate details….soon becomes front page news and used against the victim. It may be comforting for a short while…but agendas change, people come and go (and take those ‘stories’ with them) and people…well, they are simply people…covered with fig leaves.
So .. what is the answer? Not sure…do we trust our hearts with others? Do we bare it all to anyone that is in the ‘circle’? Or do we listen to that still small voice within us and only share with one or two that Abba specifically sends your way? Maybe your ‘other half’? Or a trusted friend? Again, don’t know…just know for sure that it starts on your knees…seeking HIS presence…since He is every which way you turn.
Thanks Skip for the food for thought!
Joni Mitchell Woodstock Lyrics
I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, “Where are you going?”
And this he told me…
I’m going on down to Yasgur’s Farm,
I’m gonna join in a rock and roll band.
I’m gonna camp out on the land.
I’m gonna get my soul free.
We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.
Then can I walk beside you?
I have come here to lose the smog,
And I feel to be a cog in something turning.
Well maybe it is just the time of year,
Or maybe it’s the time of man.
I don’t know who I am,
But you know life is for learning.
We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.
By the time we got to Woodstock,
We were half a million strong
And Everywhere there was song and celebration.
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky,
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation.
We are stardust.
Billion year old carbon.
We are golden..
Caught in the devil’s bargain
And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.
(To some semblance of a garden.)
This sounds like a crash course in healing broken marital relationships. I have “repeatedly” heard testimonials from couples whose relationships were being torn apart by some secret sin(s) of at least one of the parties. Eventually these towers of evil come crashing down and impacts the family unit. Only through complete honesty and this transparency will the healing begin. Good Word today, Skip.
48. Jesus said, “If two make peace with each other in a single house, they will say to the mountain ‘Move from here!’ and it will move.”
Hi Mary,
I don’t think my wife and I have any secret sins, but having been born in 48
I can relate to the unlikeliness of making “peace with each other in a single house”
My daughter is currently staying with me and as much as I love her
She is as difficult for me as her mother at times
A very wise old man once told me some years ago that I would find
That my daughter was designed to drive me crazy
And she was like a “little angel” at that point
Hey Michael,
Sorry about the trials you face with your wife and daughter. I think it is safe to say that marriage is one of life’s greatest challenges. I wholeheartedly agree!! Never give up on them or yourself. Blessings!!
BTW…Woodstock is one of my all time favorites songs by CSNY. I think of it often.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the kind words of support!
My wife and my daughter definitely test my patience
But listening to the music of the Woodstock era can sooth the soul
Old Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=221mohEolWc
Heart of Gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXaC07X5M8&list=RD02Vhj-XDdFunA
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the kind words of support!
My wife and my daughter definitely test my patience
But listening to the music of the Woodstock era can sooth the soul
Heart of Gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXaC07X5M8&list=RD02Vhj-XDdFunA
I see it as being current. Shall he who formed the eye not see? and who formed the ear, not hear?
The most secret, intimate, private thoughts, for the good or evil in every individual, the secret desires, motivations & intentions in everyone, are open to the eyes of God. We all stand naked before the Spirit as it was in the Beginning and Now.
For we sinners, it may take a lifetime and still fall short of the Perfection of God. Will we stand unashamed at Christ’s Return is the question we constantly have to answer for ourselves? Will we be clothed with our own righteousness or the Righteousness of Christ when we are finally Face to Face?
~ Will we be clothed with our own righteousness or the Righteousness of Christ when we are finally Face to Face? ~
Thank you Ray, and great question. I have a follow up..-and it is this- Now, or then? Are we “now” dressed in His righteousness alone- faultless to stand before the Throne? If God is holy- (thrice-holy!)- how is it that we (who are sinners) are even able to approach the throne of grace- or even to approach it “boldly” as the scriptures exhort us to do? What nerve! What cheek!- What gall!- What “chutzpah?”
But what does our Savior say? “Come unto Me!” and “enter in!” All who come unto Me I will in no wise cast out!- We are invited to pray! And when you pray, (to say) “Father!” Abba Father. Terms of endearment. God loves us. And Christ died to save sinners, of whom I am (move over Paul) chief.
Gather near to me -fellow publicans and tax collectors and Pharisees. Gather near to me you who are “churched” and you who have never darkened the doorway of a church. Gather near to me from all the ends of the earth- those who are far- and those who are near and hear what I say. This- is my confession. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. That you may be healed! – And this is what I want- I want- I desire- I need to be healed! – for you see- this is my confession: I am a sinner. Father, I (too) have sinned and am no longer “worthy” to be called Your son.
What have I done? Everything. Everything under the sun- in thought, word, deed and action. But remember this (you who are righteous)- it only takes one. One and done- and now we qualify-
A question for all- How many sins and what “size” sin does it take to prevent us- to keep us- from Heaven? – and from the Presence of the LORD? And again, what is it that I am depending upon to (shall we say) “get me into Heaven?” What is it that “qualifies” me or any other man or woman who draws breath to “enter in?” What am I depending upon for my salvation? For my deliverance? For my justification? For any wisdom I might gain? In what do I boast? Do I (or any other man or woman) have anything “at all” to boast of? What shall this cockamamie rooster crow about?
~ It is Christ that died! Yea, rather that is risen again ~ But God forbid that I should glory- save in “what?” Save in the death-burial and resurrection of Jesus (who is the) Christ! I will, I WILL glory in the cross! Hallelujah for the cross! Why?
Because that Man- the son of man AND the Son of God AND God the Son died for this man. He died for me. He died for sinners- and I qualify, for I (too) have sinned. Good news? Hear ye- hear ye- “read all about it!” There is no greater love- there is no greater “news” – there is no other Name under Heaven whereby we MUST be saved. Does this sound even remotely “evangelistic” to anyone? Oh- I hope it does!
Everyone needs hope. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs a Savior. And oh!- do we have One. One who IS mighty to save.
Now. Does “salvation” or deliverance mean there will be “Pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by-when-I-die?” (only?) Noooooooo. Not by a long shot. Yes, there is a Heaven to gain and Yes, there is a Hell to shun, but is there “more?” How can I say this effectively? Do I need to yell? Then turn up the volume. Do I need to set myself on fire? – Then burn the house down. Neon lights? Yes? A “bunker-buster” bomb?
What about a titanium drill bit to penetrate a skull minimumly a mile thick. Jesus Saves. ~ for there is no other Name under Heaven given to (all) mankind by which we (all) must be saved. ~ (Acts 4.12)
For ~ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus ~ (Galatians 3.28)
I was taught as a child that Adam and Eve were clothed in the glory of God.
All today I have been thinking of instances where light is associated with the presence of God.
Just as when studying about the Holy Spirit, I know if He is displeased, He leaves.
So when A & E sinned, He would have left them.
And I tell you, — after being covered in a brilliant splendor, — you would most definitely feel (and be !) naked when He departed.
At the heart of the idea of a temple is the abiding presence of God.
God is everywhere, of course, but He has chosen to manifest His presence in certain places and certain times in history. This physical manifestation of God is called the Shekinah, a brilliant splendor.
God himself came to tabernacle among the Hebrews, Himself a pilgrim among His pilgrim people, traveling day to day with the camp, in a cloud of merciful shade by day and a pillar of fire at night. The bright cloud of the presence of God that settled on the tabernacle was nothing less than the visible manifestation of God. He also stood between His people and the Egyptian army all that night. (Ex. 14: 19)
Wherever the Shekinah is, there is an intimate relationship with God and all the benefits which come from His special presence.
A new form of God dwelling with men appears in the New Testament: the Incarnate Word.
(stop and worship!)
The very glory of God “tabernacled” within human flesh and was handled and beheld.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14. Amen.
Our bodies are a temple 1 Cor. 6:19-20 says. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell in those who belong to Him. This was the ultimate desire of the psalmist (Ps. 23:6, 65:4). It is an incredible blessing to enjoy the presence of God.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, — let it shine, — let it shine !
(sorry, had a throwback-to-childhood moment there)
Unless the glory of God “inhabits” the Temple it is just an architectural building.
And without God, we are just an empty shell on the way to the disposal unit that burns.
In the history of the Temple, there were serious consequences when the Shekinah departed from the Temple, for it indicated God’s displeasure with those among whom He previously dwelt and the removal of His protection and blessing in His departure. The Temple, the house of Israel, is left desolate when the glory of God departed in at least two occasions in history.
Some of the most significant historical events related to the Shekinah. (not a complete list)
Every sentence here should begin with “The Shekinah Glory”…
Illuminated the earth prior to the creation of the sun and moon
Walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden
Ratified the Abrahamic covenant while Abraham slept (Gen. 15: 17)
Descended upon Mount Sinai at the giving of the law (Ex. 19 and on)
Filled the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 40: 34)
Filled Solomon’s Temple upon its dedication (1Kings 8: 10-11; 2Chr. 7:1)
Left Solomon’s Temple due to Israel’s sin (Ezek. 8:4-6; 9:3; 10:4; 11:22-23)
Returned to the Second Temple in the form of the incarnation of Jesus our Messiah
(Matt. 12:6; 21:12; John 1:14; 2:15)
Left the Second Temple desolate upon the departure of Jesus
(Matt. 23:38; 24:2; Luke 13:35; 21: 6)
Appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:2; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:29)
Appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3; 22:11; 26:13; 1Tim.6:16)
Will return to the Millennial temple (Isa. 60:3; Ezek. 43:2-4).
Illuminates the New Jerusalem (hallelujah!) (read in Rev. 21 and 22)