The Redemption of Man, Part Two
A Devotional Series from Genesis
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
3/23 Reading Portions: Exodus 34; John 13; Proverbs 10; Ephesians 3
Genesis 3:11-12
He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
CONFESSION
Again, the LORD’s two questions were not because He didn’t know. It was posed to draw out the man’s confession. The first question causes the man to confront his inner shame. He admitted that he was outwardly naked (Gen 3:10), but he was still elusive concerning his spiritual condition—his lack of openness and honesty before his Creator. That is evident by the man’s answer, as we will see in a moment. The second question confronts the man’s specific sin. Both questions are the work of the Holy Spirit in every sinner, especially since the Lord Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and His sending the Holy Spirit as our permanent indwelling promise (John 14:17). Jesus told us this about the Spirit’s work:
“And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:” John 16:8
One of the things we should note concerning Adam’s confession is that first he blamed the woman, and ultimately, he blamed God. When sin has its way in our lives, it corrupts every area to one degree or another. Adam and the woman were created in sinless perfection. Yet when confronted with his sin, while Adam did confess (and I ate), he redirected the guilt elsewhere. This is why the incarnation of God through the promised Messiah was the plan from before the beginning. The best of our repentance before God, the best of our confession of sin in the face of righteousness and judgment, carries with it enough corruption that it is tainted. When Jesus began His earthly ministry at the banks of the River Jordan, His cousin John tried to forbid Him from being baptized with the baptism of repentance. But Jesus said,
“Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:17
Jesus was God incarnate. He was sinless and perfect. He had nothing to repent from. The purpose of His baptism, and the purpose of His entire life from conception to death, was for Him to live the righteous life you and I cannot possibly live and then pay that sin debt we owe and cannot possibly pay; a debt He did not owe or deserve. Jesus fulfilled righteousness on our behalf, repenting, not for Himself, but for you and me because our repentance of sin is tainted, and our confession of faith is weak and imperfect.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!