Genesis 3 is often read with such doom and gloom that it is easy to miss the Father’s love. Many assume Adam and Eve were excommunicated from the garden of delight because of their rebellious sin, but this is not true. Verse 22 explicitly tells us that God did not want his creatures to eat from the Tree of Life and live forever in a state of fallen corruption. Banishment from Eden was intended to protect humanity from causing more harm to themselves (they already received punishment in vv. 16–19).
This theme continues in the next story of Cain and Abel as well. In love, God warns Cain that sin is crouching at the door like a lion waiting to devour him (4:7), yet he ignores God’s fatherly advice, becomes consumed by jealously (Prov. 27:4; Heb. 11:4; 1 Jn. 3:12), and then murders his own brother. Like Adam and Eve, he receives punishment, yet God’s never-ending love also provides protection for him by placing a special mark upon his head so that he remains safe wherever he travels (v. 15).
Lastly, despite the effects of humanity’s fall into sin, God continued to lovingly care for his sinful creatures with supernatural protection from death (just look at the long lives in chapter 5!). The last names in the genealogy are Noah and his family, another sign of God’s protecting love for humanity amidst serious punishment for their crimes.
Father, I confess that too often I complain about what I am losing instead of praising you for what you are providing for me by your all-sufficient grace. Teach me to see your protection in the small things of life. Maybe those lost car keys protect me from collision with a drunk driver. Give me your perspective of protection. Amen.
Corey J. McLaughlin
