Trading Fig Leaves For A Righteous Robe
We are experts at hiding. When I ask how someone is doing, the answer is almost always, “Good!” This raises an important question: Why do we hide? What keeps us cloaked in shame and guilt? Let’s explore these questions together as we unpack the truth found in Genesis 3:7-13.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The Burden of Hiding
In Genesis 3, we see Adam and Eve’s instinctive reaction after they disobey God. Their eyes are opened, and they become aware of their nakedness. In a moment of vulnerability, they sew fig leaves together to cover themselves. This act of hiding reflects a deeper struggle—one that resonates throughout human history.
Every time we cover up our true selves, we draw a veil over our vulnerability. Brene Brown, a prominent researcher on shame, defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” It’s this emotional exposure that many of us fear, leading us to wear our metaphorical fig leaves.
The Anatomy of Fig Leaves
Why do we wear fig leaves? The first reason lies in our newfound self-awareness post-fall. Adam and Eve, once innocent and unashamed, suddenly become acutely aware of their shortcomings. They recognize their flaws and feel a deep sense of shame. This self-awareness compels them to hide—not just from God, but from each other and even from themselves.
Verse 8 illustrates this beautifully: they hear God walking in the garden and hide among the trees. This highlights a universal truth: when we feel vulnerable, our first instinct is to conceal ourselves. We think that by putting on a façade, we can escape judgment and rejection.
Moreover, in verse 10, Adam admits, “I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Fear is another reason we wear fig leaves. We fear being truly known and possibly rejected. This fear drives us into hiding and perpetuates the cycle of shame.
The Weight of Blame
Our tendency to hide often leads to blame-shifting. In verse 12, Adam points to Eve, saying, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” This moment underscores a significant aspect of human nature: when faced with our failings, we often deflect responsibility. It’s easier to point fingers than to own our actions.
This pattern of blame manifests in various ways in our lives. We might blame our upbringing, our circumstances, or even the people around us for our struggles. Yet, if we truly desire to embrace the grace of God, we must first acknowledge why and how we hide.
The Cost of Hiding
The fig leaves that Adam and Eve fashioned were not just physical coverings; they symbolized a deeper, emotional armor that many of us wear today. We might pretend to be happy on social media, masking our insecurities and vulnerabilities. We might achieve professionally, thinking that success will shield us from feelings of worthlessness. Or we might escape into distractions—food, entertainment, or substances—rather than facing our pain.
In each of these scenarios, we seek comfort in the temporary rather than the transformative. We hide behind our fig leaves, thinking they provide security, but in reality, they keep us from experiencing true freedom.
The Pursuit of Grace
However, amidst this struggle, we encounter a God who seeks us out. In verse 9, God calls to Adam, asking, “Where are you?” This is not a question of location; it’s a divine invitation to come out of hiding. God desires fellowship with us, even when we’ve sinned. His grace compels Him to pursue us, longing to restore our broken relationship with Him.
When we dare to step out from behind our fig leaves, we open ourselves to the grace that God extends. This requires vulnerability—a willingness to admit our mistakes and shortcomings. Just as Adam and Eve confessed their sins, we too must be willing to acknowledge our failings before God and others.
Trading Fig Leaves for Righteous Robes
The good news is that when we confess and come out of hiding, God responds with grace. In verse 21, we see a powerful act: God provides Adam and Eve with garments of skin, symbolizing His covering for their shame. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world.
By trading our fig leaves for His righteous robes, we embrace the fullness of His grace. God’s covering is sufficient, allowing us to shed our shame and walk in the light of His love. We no longer need to hide; we can stand before God clothed in His righteousness.
As we reflect on the story of Adam and Eve, we must ask ourselves: What fig leaves are we wearing? How are we hiding from God and each other? In this journey, we must acknowledge why we hide, how we hide, and ultimately, how we can trade our fig leaves for the righteous robes offered by our loving Creator.
Let us embrace vulnerability, stepping into the light of God’s grace, where our brokenness can be redeemed, our sins can be covered, and our souls can be restored. Hallelujah, what a Savior!