Who is our God? What is He like?
He is a purposeful pursuer.
As we move into Genesis chapter 3, tragedy strikes.
The beautiful creation that was made in the image and likeness of God has fallen. Sin, a willful transgression of God’s law, is a rejection of the Creator himself. Yet, in this moment that was the greatest of insults to the One Who had formed man with His own hands, the mercy and compassion of His character shines through. Adam had forsaken God, but God’s response to this great tragedy was a purposeful pursuit of this lost son.
Consider if you will the first act of God in response to fallen man (vs. 9):
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
“Where art thou?”
What welcoming words, considering the gravity of the offense, and the sure consequence to follow… death. Jehovah would have been perfectly just in allowing the consequence of Adam’s sin to immediately consume him. There would have been no sacrifice or compromise in the character of the Lord had He executed swift judgment and immediate consequence. However, He did not. Instead, He purposefully pursued this helpless and hostile man.
The heart of our God shined bright that day. A beautiful glimpse of His glorious nature. He is “full of compassion… and plenteous in mercy,”
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15)
The question, “Where art thou?” was not asked because of God’s ignorance to Adam’s whereabouts, but rather to emphasize to Adam that His choice to disobey had landed him in a place of depravity and despair. It was a place that estranged him from the very source of life.
“Adam, what have you done? Where have you gone? Why have you chosen such a foolish path?” And yet, in this place, He does not leave Adam to the consequence of his sin, but makes provision for him in the form of a blood sacrifice.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)
This sacrifice would set the stage for God’s unfolding plan of redemption that culminates with the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” You see, Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost.” He came purposefully pursuing you, just as He did with Adam.
Behold our God!