You know that picture you see of man in a sinful state beside a chasm or deep void with God on the other side. Somehow that picture always stayed with me when I read Genesis chapter three and the ‘fall’ of man. I imagined Adam and Eve outside of the garden on the other side of that void unable to be in God’s presence because of his sin, but that wasn’t so- God immediately made a way. The Lord came back, knowing what they’d done, to walk in the garden and talk with them while in their sinful state and too ashamed to be seen by Him. Then after He kicked them out of the garden (there remained consequences…), He still met them outside the garden and they talked.
Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence (Strong’s 6440) of the LORD God… Gen. 3:8
The Lord still came and talked with them, and clothed them.
The Lord still came and talked with them, and clothed them.
And the LORD said unto Cain,… Gen 4:6,9 Cain spoke back to the Lord. v. 9,13
And Cain went out from the presence (6440) of the LORD, Gen. 4:16
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face (6440) to face (6440)… Gen. 32:30
And the LORD spake unto Moses face (6440) to face (6440), as a man speaketh unto his friend… Ex. 33:11
God’s presence/ face was still available to Adam’s children and later generations as seen in Jacob and Moses. 6440 in the TWOT* is the word panim or face. The face is characterized by some personal quality, and is extraordinarily revealing of man’s, or in
these cases, God’s emotions, moods, and dispositions. There are some impressions you can get by a person speaking over the telephone, but to fully read their emotions, mood and disposition, you need to see them in person.
these cases, God’s emotions, moods, and dispositions. There are some impressions you can get by a person speaking over the telephone, but to fully read their emotions, mood and disposition, you need to see them in person. So man has the potential to be forgiven by God and to be in His presence. Adam and Eve were clothed by God with the first dead animal skin. Cain and Abel brought sacrifices. Obviously early on they understood the repercussions of sin and the forgiveness of God. We can still be in God’s presence today all because forgiveness is available by the blood of Jesus Christ. (The cross in the chasm... God put it there.)
I also like to think we can still see the Lord face to face, but so far He hasn’t blessed me that way. Still, I strive for it knowing that if it never happens while I am here in this flesh, it will surely happen when I awake in Heaven and I will be fully satisfied to finally see Him. (Ps. 17:15)
*Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament