Genesis 3: Clothing Optional

Note: Nothing in this post is meant to be sexual. Yeah, I know. When you have to say that, it can't end well. =P

Genesis 2:6-7

She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

After Adam and Eve commit original sin, they realize they are naked. Ever wonder why? Why are they ashamed of their bodies? It's not like they have anyone to compare their bodies to and realize they aren't as "gifted" as others. Its not like they haven't seen each other naked before.

In this post, I want to argue that in addition to Adam and Eve clothing themselves as a result of sin, God needed to clothe himself as well.

What is symbolic meaning of being naked? Being naked is the ultimate sign of intimacy; it shows the union two people have. What does it mean to need and wear clothes? In addition to keeping the junk in the trunk warm, it protects our privacy, so we aren't open to the world.

When Adam and Eve sinned, two relationships were broken: 1) their relationship with each other and 2) their relationship with God.

1) The scapegoating that goes on when questioned by God is an indication of the break in their union. What happened to "bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh? All of a sudden, the "one flesh" became two, as the perfect unity of their relationship was shattered. The realization of nakedness and the need for clothes represents their lost intimacy, the barriers put up between them.

2) I want to focus more on the break of relationship between God and man. Not only does man need to clothe himself from other men, but God needs to clothe Himself from man!

Genesis 3:8

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

This might sound sacrilegious, but for some reason, reading "as [God] was walking in the garden in the cool of the day", I couldn't help but imagine God being naked (w/e that means), strutting around the garden, freely enjoying the fresh, cool air. That got me thinking: As nakedness is a motif in this passage, it wouldn't be completely absurd to consider the relation between clothing and nakedness and God himself.

Because of man's sin, God could no longer be intimate with man, as the union between God and man was severed. Man could no longer see God or be in his awesome presence because of man's sin and God's holiness. From the fall until the crucifixion, God is always "clothed" from his people. Through history, God's presence is indicated inside the ark and in the Holy of Holies, and God clothes himself with an obvious barrier between Himself and man, as only the high priest could enter the presence of God once a year.

But then, Jesus invaded history and decided to reconcile man and God, to reunite man with God. When Jesus breathed his last on the cross, the curtain in the temple separating God from man was ripped from top to bottom...God was taking off his clothes, inviting us to once again be intimate with Him. Sin was defeated; the effect of the fall was reversed; we are united once again with God.

God is taking off his clothes for you, inviting you to become united with him once again. God is willing to be naked for you; are you willing to be naked, to humble yourself and come to terms with who you are, for God?

What does it mean to be naked for God?

Well, I haven't really thought about it. We'll see.... ;)