4 Lessons we can learn from Adam and Eve Genesis 3

Modesty 4 Lessons we can learn from Adam and Eve Genesis 3

Intro to Genesis 3 • God had created both Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden. Genesis 2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “The tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat”.

Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:7 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 coverings.

1. Modesty is a subject for both men and women • Both were naked! Both needed to be clothed! • This applies to all, but style causes this to be an issue more for women.

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Genesis 3:7 (NKJV) 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 coverings. Genesis 3:7 (KJV, ASV)And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Genesis 3:7 (ESV) Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Word study on “Aprons” • The Hebrew word for the garment is chargorah, which means a garment that covers the midsection of the body, tied about the waist. The same word is translated in other passages as a girdle or a belt. • This would be similar to our modern jogging shorts.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

2. Adam and Eve were ashamed at what they were wearing and hid themselves • And there were only 2 people on earth. • Why do so many today lack the spiritual sense to do the same? • Modesty is more than just “what we wear”, it is an attitude. - 2 Timothy 2:8-10

Orderly, well-arranged, decent. "The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only, but of the inner life, uttering indeed and expressing itself in the outward conversation“ (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (NKJV) 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (KJV with shamefacedness and sobriety), not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

The quality or state of being proper or suitable, appropriate, fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes. (www.Merriam-Webster.com) 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (NKJV) 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (KJV with shamefacedness and sobriety), not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (NKJV) a sense of shame, modesty," is used regarding the demeanor of women in the church, Shamefastness is that modesty which is rooted in the character (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (KJV with shamefacedness and sobriety), not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (NKJV) denotes soundness of mind, It is that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires , which would hinder temptation from arising, (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation (KJV with shamefacedness and sobriety), not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Matt 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Considering these Definitions from 1 Timothy 2:9… What is your desire? • Orderly, well-arranged, decent. • Appropriate with a fear of offending others. • a sense of shame rooted in the character. • self-government with constant rein on all the passions and desires. • Will I dress as the person described in 2 Timothy 2:10 • Which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. • Or will I dress as the person described in Proverbs 7:10 • With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

Genesis 3:9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

3. One can have some clothes on still be “naked” • Were they completely nude? No. • Adam and Eve had on some clothes and still considered themselves “naked”. • Peter – John 21:3-7

John 21:3-7 (NKJV) 3 (after the resurrection of Christ from the dead) Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

John 21:3-7 (NKJV) 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. John 21:7 (NASB) he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. John 21:7 (KJV, ASV) he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Genesis 3:21 (after placing punishment on Adam and Eve) Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

4. Man’s standard isn’t good enough for God • If God clothed them, then what were they before God clothed them? Immodest. • What does the world tell us about immodesty? • It’s Ok. • How did God dress man? • Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Word study on “Tunics” • What areas are covered? • The Hebrew word for tunic is kethoneth, which describes a shirt that hangs on the shoulders and reaches to the knees. Women as well as men wore it , although there was a difference in style and pattern in what was worn by the two. • Why cover those areas?

To cover their “nakedness” Isaiah 47:2 Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, Yes, your shame will be seen;

To cover their “nakedness” Exodus 28:42 (the priest’s wardrobe) And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. Exodus 20:26 (The Law of building the altar) Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’ • Nakedness is showing all or part of the waist and thighs

To cover their “nakedness” Isa. 20:4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. • Nakedness is showing all or part of the buttocks - I see no reason why this wouldn’t include partial showing, as well as tight and form fitting clothing which does little to hide this part of the body. (David Diestelkamp)

To cover their “nakedness” Ezek. 16:7 I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare. • Nakedness is showing all or part of the breasts - Showing the breast or part of it is part of nakedness that needs to be covered. (David Diestelkamp)

Helpful Advice • We need to be considerate what we wear IN PUBLIC and IN THE WORSHIP ASSEMBLY There is a lot more that needs to be said and studied about modest clothing, but it would be a big step in the right direction just to cover what God calls nakedness while in public. (David Diestelkamp, article from Think on These Things, April-May-June, 2005 Volume 36, No. 2)

We need to cover our “nakedness” • Women • Bathing suits • Shorts • Short Dresses • Splits that give a peek • Rides up above knees • Low neckline • Tight form fitting

We need to cover our “nakedness” • Men • Swimwear • Shorts • Having our shirts off • Holes in jeans • Tight pants/shirts • Loose/Sagging pants • Don’t wear women's clothes Deuteronomy 22:5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

Quit blaming the other person – Matthew 18:6-9 (NKJV) The one who dresses immodestly sins! 6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. The one who lusts after another sins!

Attitudes Toward Dressing for the Worship Service • Modesty - We should be modest in our dress! That means we should be orderly, well-arranged, decent, and proper. We should dress in such a way as to hinder someone from lusting. • Respect - We should show respect for God in our dress. We are in God’s house to worship Him. We should want to give our very best efforts to God. • Influence - We should remember that our dress is an outward reflection of our personal beliefs. We are a living sacrifice to God. Would others know it from our dress?

4 Lessons we can learn from Adam and Eve Genesis 3