What is this You Have Done? - Genesis 3:13

The following article originally appeared in the "Great Questions" column in this month's publication of CommonCall magazine.

 

Kids are full of surprises.  As a young parent, I’m learning to never underestimate what my two-year-old daughter can do when left to her own devices.  “Emily, what did you do?!” is a common exclamation heard in our house.  This phrase is often said in exasperation, more than from a desire for information.  Another similar, but slightly different phrase I sometimes find myself shouting is: “Emily, look what you did!”  This is the more direct route.  Instead of resigning to her bad behavior in frustration, I drop the implications of it in her lap full force with an accusing imperative.  In that moment, I want her to feel guilt over what she did.  I want her to feel bad because she has done something bad.

God asks a similar question to his first daughter following the bite she took from the sinful fruit of The Tree of Knowledge: “What is this you have done (Gen 3:13, NIV)?” 

His very own creation chose to deliberately disobey the only rule he gave them.  His point in asking about Eve’s action is obviously not a request for information, an emotional outburst, or an attempt to shame her.  Rather, it is part of a series of questions that God asks both her and her husband in Genesis 3 that seeks to lead them to an understanding of the full implications of their actions.

“Where are you?”  “Who told you that you were naked?”  “Have you eaten from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?”  “What is this you have done?”  The author of Genesis presents this series of questions from God in the same manner you might hear questions in a court session unfold.  The obvious conclusion is that both Adam and Eve are guilty and have devastating consequences to pay that will affect the rest of humanity and history.

But let us not miss one small detail in the midst of this bad news: God did not have to ask these questions!  His willingness to enter into our experience, step-by-step, questioning, prodding, and responding - contrasts sharply with our quick tempers and finite patience.

God will not recklessly drop consequences in your lap out of resignation or frustration.  Even when your actions are contrary to his wishes, God’s guidance and leadership can be found.  How might he be leading you in the midst of questionable actions or consequences today?

Another Take on Seeking God's Guidance

In his classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers begins an entry with an astounding statement: "We have to be so one with God that we do not continually need to ask for guidance." The Scripture this statement is in reference to is Genesis 24:27b "...As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives." The person that spoke these words was Abraham's servant (he is not given a name in Scripture), sent on a journey to find a wife for his son Isaac. When God confirmed that he had indeed found the right person to marry Isaac, the servant rejoiced that God had been leading him all the way.

Does this story really warrant the statement that Chambers begins his devotional with? I must admit, I like this statement. I've often felt like it is impossible to truly seek God in every trivial matter I encounter day after day. Yet, this servant certainly does a lot of seeking in regard to the story alluded to above. Genesis 24:12-14 details how he prays to God and asks him to grant him success, and to demonstrate specifically whether or not a woman he will encounter is who he should approach to marry his master's son.

As much as I love good ol' Oswald, at first glance, it does not appear that his Scripture reference completely backs up his quote. Does that mean his quote is not true? Perhaps he made this statement in anticipation of how he thought people might apply this story to their lives: Abraham's servant asked God to do something specific to guide him in this moment, so we should do the same in making our decisions, right? Of course, this statement ignores a lot of contextual issues. But perhaps the biggest reason Oswald refers to this verse to support his statement is not what Abraham's servant did to seek God's guidance in the midst of a situation, but in his recognition of God's guidance looking back on the situation.

Although he asked God to guide him in some pretty specific ways, he also leaves some details to chance. The Bible doesn't tell us why he traveled to the specific area where he would meet Rebekah, or how he knew to approach the exact well that he met her at. Yet, God confirmed that this was indeed the definite person that he had picked to marry Isaac. This servant was not able to cover all of his bases by asking God to guide him in every single aspect of this encounter, yet, he is able to say that "the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

How much are we to seek God's guidance? I haven't found a step-by-step blueprint in the Bible. Oswald Chambers thinks that it is possible for him to guide us, even if we do not labor in prayer over every single decision we are faced with. What do you think?