"and they knew that they were naked"

[nebula]

Gen. 3

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate ; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked ; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

"Nakedness" in Scripture is symbolic of shame and disgrace. To have nakedness exposed means one's shame and disgrace is what one sees of the person.

(Note, please don't take this as an argument for whether or not this event physically happened; all things recorded in Scripture have spiritual application, and we need to dive into what that was.)

The Bible does not say how they saw each other before eating the fruit, but afterwards. So what is the lesson here?

When you look at another and all you see is their crud, the things you don't like about them, the things that make you feel hurt and/or angry, basically their sin - you are seeing the person with your eyes opened through the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

When you look at yourself this way as well, you are seeing yourself with your eyes opened through the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

[methinkshe]

I think this is an excellent OP.

May I just add the following observation and attendant questions?

Why is it that, up until a certain age, a child has no concept of nakedness and will quite happily parade around in his birthday suit?

And what causes the transition in a child from innocence concerning nakedness to self-consciousness concerning nakedness?

[nebula]

I don't know. This is something that just struck me late last night.

I read a claim that nakedness with regards to little children symbolizes innocence, but I didn't see a reference to that.

But I guess I would have to ask if this self-consciousness develops around the same time as sin consciousness?

[SavedByGrace1980]

I don't know. This is something that just struck me late last night.

I read a claim that nakedness with regards to little children symbolizes innocence, but I didn't see a reference to that.

But I guess I would have to ask if this self-consciousness develops around the same time as sin consciousness?

In Eden, Adam and Eve were as little children.

When I look at my two grand-daughters, ages 5 and 3, I see complete and total innocence. To me, this presents a good illustration of the pre-fall condition of mankind. In fact, I don't have a problem in equating the word "naked" with the word "innocent".

What is interesting to me about looking at it this way is the fact that it helps us to see how God might have viewed the loss of innocence. Think about how we feel when we hear of something evil happening to a little child. (I don't really want to go into the whole Casey Anthony situation here, but it does illustrate this)

One does not have to be a Christian - or religious at all - to view the loss of innocence of a child as anything but heartbreaking. But as Christians, we can begin to see how God's heart may have been broken.

Blessings!

-Ed

[jodetoad]

It is a struggle not to see the crud. For me, anyway. Lots of people think I'm shy, I prefer the term 'reserved'. But the real reason is the crud, and my experience with the crud.

It helps to try to imagine a person's face when he was very young, how he or she might have looked with a shiny innocent face that his mother adored. Funny that came up immediately. My husband works in a camp for criminal boys. He is a thoughtful and kind person, and I know the damage he sees every day in these young people disturbs him.

And Neb, you are right, it is much harder to look at one's self that way. Ed points out that God sees us this way, which is kind of mind-boggling. Worth pondering.

[childeye]

Ah the loss of innocence through the knowledge of good and evil.

[~candice~]

Well, I'm not sure I agree .

Before the fall, they likely saw each other exactly as they were, sinless. There was no crud to be ashamed of.

We see sin and doctrinal error all the time. And we aren't called to just look at the good and be blind to the crud. We are called to test all things, to exhort our brothers, drawing back those who have stumbled into sin, etc etc. I believe what we should see is not just the good, but the bad covered by the blood (or not, in the case of unbelievers).

Gal 6:1 Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you the spiritual ones restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

Jud 1:17 But you, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Jud 1:18 because they told you that at the last time there will be mockers according to their lusts, leading ungodly lives.

Jud 1:19 These are those setting themselves apart, animal-like ones, not having the Spirit.

Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, eagerly awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to everlasting life.

Jud 1:22 But pity some, making distinction.

Jud 1:23 But save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire; hating even the garment having been stained from the flesh.

[nebula]

We see sin and doctrinal error all the time. And we aren't called to just look at the good and be blind to the crud. We are called to test all things, to exhort our brothers, drawing back those who have stumbled into sin, etc etc. I believe what we should see is not just the good, but the bad covered by the blood (or not, in the case of unbelievers).

I understand what you are saying, but I think you are not understanding what I was given the impression of.

Will have to think of how better to explain it....

[Guest]

Mercy!

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:19-24

____________

We see sin and doctrinal error all the time. And we aren't called to just look at the good and be blind to the crud. We are called to test all things, to exhort our brothers, drawing back those who have stumbled into sin, etc etc. I believe what we should see is not just the good, but the bad covered by the blood (or not, in the case of unbelievers).

I understand what you are saying, but I think you are not understanding what I was given the impression of.

Will have to think of how better to explain it....

Maybe It's That We Have Such A Great Propensity To Quickly Apply Our Knowledge Of "Evil" To The Other Fellow

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:3-4

While Hiding Behind A Facade Of "Good" For Ourself?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:5

And Yet There Is Hope

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Revelation 1:5

[SavedByGrace1980]

Well, I'm not sure I agree .

Before the fall, they likely saw each other exactly as they were, sinless. There was no crud to be ashamed of.

You're correct - but I take it farther than that.

Yes, they were sinless - but they could be in no other condition because they didn't know what sin was.

That is - until they were placed in the Garden and given a command. Once they had that command, they had a choice (because God created them and us with free will). As we all know - they chose wrongly.

This for me is interesting to ponder. I've heard it preached that the Fall was a unique event in history. one that can never be repeated. (Just like Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is a one time event that cannot be repeated).

Just as it is impossible to say with certainty what Heaven is like, I believe it is impossible to imagine what life in pre-Fall Eden was like. No sin. No evil. Pure innocence. Perfect fellowship with God.

As I wrote earlier, I see innocence when I look at my two toddler grand-daughters. That is the closest analogy I can make to what Adam and Eve must have been like. But I have to admit - my grand-daughters are NOT sinless. (I've even caught the 3 year old in a lie!)

So is it a perfecty analogy? Sadly, the answer is no. Oh well . . .

Blessings!

-Ed