Closer through Proper Perspective

by Andy Brown

Genesis 3:6-11  //  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. 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. 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. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Jeremiah 29:12-13  //  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

There is a principle in biblical hermeneutics called The Law of First Mention. The idea is that anytime a word or concept is introduced in the Bible that incident holds foundational meaning. When we look at the concept of close connection with God, the first mention holding this foundational significance is found at the very beginning. In the Garden.

In Genesis we see Adam and Eve enjoying a close, intimate connection with God. It is unhindered with no separation whatsoever. But then something happens. Adam and Eve choose to go their own way by rejecting God’s way and suddenly everything changes.

Have you ever stopped to think about what really changed? I mean, sure, their circumstances changed as God passed on the consequences of their disobedience. But before that, something more significant changed.

Adam and Eve’s perspective changed. 

Genesis 3:7 tells us: “At that moment, their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness” (NLT). From here forward they see everything differently than they did before they chose to go their own way.

When they heard God walking in the garden later that evening, what did they do? Did they run to Him the way they did previously in their unhindered relationship? No. Instead, they ran from Him. They hid because shame overcame them and put a perceived distance between them and God.

Their view of God changed in the moment they chose their way over His. Instead of seeing Him as close, they felt the need to separate themselves from Him by running away. Being kicked out of the Garden of Eden was a consequence of their choice. Not God’s.

God told them what He wanted when He gave them the standards. They were the ones who chose rebellion. They were the ones who brought the consequences of separation.

But the Law of First Mention shows us that God’s plan was closeness and intimacy all along. 

God didn’t walk away. We did. God didn’t hide from us. We hid from Him.

And still, we have a tendency to hide from him today because we don’t understand His desire has always been intimacy. Unhindered. Close. Unending. Intimacy.

If you think intimacy with God is a moving target, one that exposes His desire to be pursued endlessly without ever being found, you have a wrong perspective of God. God is not hiding from you trying to make your pursuit of Him difficult.

He is close. He is out in the open. He longs to be found and He calls to you in a gentle, tender way saying, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” (Jeremiah 29:12-13; NLT). 

Prayer

Lord, I recognize that something inside of me feels the need to separate from you when I am ashamed. I need your help to see your desire for intimacy with me more clearly. Please give me a new perspective that will enable me to remain close with you each day.