Audio Message: Hope in the Curse

Here is a breakdown of Genesis 3 and the Story of the Fall, the curse, and the hope inside of it.

Click Here: Hope in the Curse

 

 

 

Hope in the Curse?

Genesis begins in wonder and glory as all of creation comes to order. The first sense of gloom comes in 2:17 when God warns not to eat of the this one tree in the middle of the garden “for when you eat of it you will surely die.” I so want the next verse to be this: “and they did all the days of their life.” Of course that is my fantasy and not what actually happened. Death comes, pain comes, the curse comes. The serpent loses his legs, women gains more pain in childbirth and will desire her husband. Lastly, man gets pain in work. The ground is cursed because of man and thorns and thistles enter the world. So much for my fantasy.

But, immediately after the curse something really intriguing happened: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” I find this odd. Before this moment God was cursing man and after God banished man from the garden and grieves that he made man. Yet, God covers man with animal skin. Why? What does this mean?

Let me suggest a couple things. Man is made in the image of God. God took an entire day and set it apart for man. So to begin, God cares for man. Even though they disobeyed, are cursed and will taste death, God loves his creation.

Second, this act reveals God’s personality. This act of kindness shows God’s profound grace. Could this be a sign of what is to come? Does this not show us what he would do through his son? God sacrificed an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s shame. God also sacrificed his Son to cover the sin and shame of all mankind. These two express the hope of man. That God has the heart to save man from death.

But the consequences of sin are real. This act of kindess reveals that sin and shame are an intense reality that is not over yet. Yes, there is hope but every time we see death, every time we see pain, abuse, tragedy, violence, it is all because of sin and the fall of mankind. We live in a world of sin. It’s broken. BUT! If that depresses you, then look to the hope that comes from God. The hope that he still cares, that he is still working. His kingdom is coming and his will is being done. He is the perfect Creator who is making all things new and it all started with this one kind act in the midst of the fall: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”