Hiding from God: Lessons from the Garden of Eden

Do you remember the classic game hide and seek as a child? It was a mad dash to find a suitable hiding spot. The seeker counted until they finally exclaimed that all too familiar phrase, “Ready or not, here I come!”

Now it was time to get as quiet as possible. No moving. No laughing. Silence.

If your hiding spot was more obscure, you might be in the same place for a while. But eventually, you would be found. This game is so innocent. Usually full of incessant laughter.

Hiding from God

But what about when we are the ones hiding from God? We aren’t always so giddy. We don’t want to be sought. We are afraid to be found.

This pattern has been going on since the very beginning in the Garden of Eden.

The Garden of Eden

After disobeying God, Adam and Eve saw that they were naked and they made coverings for themselves using fig leaves. They were hidden and ashamed. But the fig leaves did not offer enough security. They heard the sound of the Lord walking in the cool of the day and they hid behind some trees. They were hiding from God, dreading the thought of being found.

God, knew what they had done. His words came soft and sincere. He called to Adam. “Where are you?” - Genesis 3:9

What heartbreak. What sorrow. What love. He knew fellowship had been lost, for sin separates man from God. He knew the consequences of disobedience couldn’t be worse.

God’s Justice and Mercy

Thankfully, it doesn’t stop there. After a conversation with Adam and Eve, God showed His justice by cursing the man, woman and serpent. He showed His mercy by cursing the serpent first.

Finally, before Adam and Eve were exiled from the garden, He did something astounding. God made garments of animal skin for Adam and Eve and clothed them. He clothed their weakness with His strength. God covered their shame with His dignity.

A Glimpse of Redemption

This event foreshadows the atonement for sins: the animal sacrifices in the Old Covenant and Christ’s sacrifice in the New Covenant. Right there, in the very beginning, God gave us a glimpse of His plan of redemption.

He was not content to have His beloved people at a distance. No sin, fear, shame or shortcoming can stand in the way of His grace. He clothes us in His unfailing love and compassion.

We can once again delight in being found, seen and known like a little child is when playing hide and seek.