More than free clothes!

[From March 6, 2015]

"The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living.  And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them."

(Genesis 3:20-21)

Here's the Cliff's Notes version of the Garden of Eden story: God is. Man created.  Garden planted.  Trees present!  "Eat from all but one."  Aniamls created.  Woman created.  One flesh union!  Serpent speaks.  Woman eats.  (It was THE ONE tree.  Ugh.)  Man follows.  They're naked?!?!  They hide.  God calls.  They blame.  God gives consequences.

What was interesting to me as I reread this story today was what God did AFTER scolding them (aka "consequences"): He clothed them.  Granted, when God created them they were naked, too.  But it wasn't an issue then.  Only after they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil did they realize they were naked (or at least that's when they got worried about it).

So God created them "good" (and naked!).  They got into trouble and no longer saw that goodness.  So God provided for their need.  Wow.  God could have easily washed his hands of them and left them on their own.  But God provided.  To me, that speaks of love, grace & connection.  The gift was more than just garments of skin.  It was more than free clothes!

How might God be working to provide for us in the midst of our human frailties & sinfulness?  Grace abounds.  Praise God!