The Geography of Sin
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NIV
Where – What if we combine Rabbi David Forhman’s insight about the Hebrew word ‘ayyeh and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks insight about the relationship between geography and sin? Sacks comments that sin is often being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fohrman points out that God’s question to Adam is not about geography. It is about expectation. “Why aren’t you here by my side,” questions God. But this question began with an issue about geography. Adam and Havvah were in the wrong place when the serpent arrived. They were in close proximity (an arm’s length) of the forbidden. What were they doing there, anyway? If God told you to not eat from some tree, would you spend time within arm’s length of the forbidden thing? How safe is that? Once I put myself so close to the possibility of sin that I could reach out and touch it, what are my chances of not reaching? Wouldn’t I be much safer if I just stayed far away from such places? If sin is a function of geography, then where I am is something I must seriously consider. If I don’t watch my geography, God will end up asking me why I am not where He expects me to be.
‘eypoh (where) leads to ‘ayyeh (where).
We have quite a few examples of being in the wrong place. Jacob was in the wrong place on his first wedding night because he was in the wrong place at the drunken festival before he went to bed. Abraham sent Sarah to the wrong place when he arrived in Egypt. Lot was in the wrong place after his decision concerning grazing fields. He was also in the wrong place in the cave. David was in the wrong place when it was the time of war. Samson was in the wrong place when his hair was cut. Elijah was in the wrong place where he heard that still small voice. The prophets continually remind Israel that the nation is in the wrong place when it comes to worship. And so for us. Where you are is just as important as what you are thinking. Quite often, avoiding sin is simply a matter of choosing your parking place.
Recovering addicts know that old places and old faces must be abandoned if sobriety is going to have a chance. Perhaps we should have learned this from biblical examples. God seems not to care if we run away from the places of evil. He’s not so interested in our demonstrations of spiritual prowess. Perhaps He knows us better than we know ourselves. “Flee,” says Sha’ul. Run while you can. It’s OK. Being a coward in the face of sinful geography isn’t the issue. The issue is not putting ourselves in places where we are likely to be overwhelmed.
What places must be erased from your map today?
Topical Index: where, ‘ayyeh, ‘eypoh, Fohrman, Sacks, Genesis 3:9
Interesting note to add….one of the first Hassidic Tennessee, R’s Elimelech was asked by a students Why did G-d ask Adam where he was, when G-d knew right where Adam was hiding. His response was that G-d was asking, “where are you”, where are you Adam in your faith with me.
“where are you Adam in your faith with me.” Thumbs up!!
And, may I elaborate further – where are you, Adam in your walk with Me? Are you hearing what I commanded you. Why are you disobeying Me? Why are you hiding from Me?
Shalom!
Ughhh, Tennessee had nothing to do with the above comment. I meant Hassidic Rebbes, sorry.
It may seem that we are in the wrong place at the wrong time, but not to YHWH; not in the cases of the above mentioned in TW. And not particularly in Yosev’s case as well. They were all according to YHWH’s plans and schedules.. HalleluYAH!
Such circumstances were meant to prove if we were/are ready to be refined as overcomers to be in the position He is/was calling us to.
“The issue is not putting ourselves in places where we are likely to be overwhelmed” where folks are judgmental and critical unrighteously without proper knowledge truth, of where folks are in their walk/maturity with YHWH; and, in places where we can be compromised and gradually assimilated in ‘unclean’ practices/lifestyles, as in the case of the Israelites in Goshen, Egypt, where YHWH had to bring them out with a strong hand!
YHWH did not judge Adam, but asked him with chesed “Where are you, Adam?”
What amazing grace/chen, חֵן bestowed upon mankind from the very beginning.