https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/managing-scotch-thistle.htm
But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:9)
And the Lord God made garments of skin for the man and for his wife, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)
Genesis 3 is often read as an explanation for the problems of the world. It is the story of the first man and woman eating the forbidden fruit and being driven from the Garden of Eden to toil in childbirth and among the thorns and thistles and dust in the ground from which they were taken. In truth, this is a faithful theological interpretation of the problems of the world. The man and woman chose to disregard the Lord God’s instruction and so bore the consequence. This is all too common among us today – in society as well as in the privacy of our own minds and hearts. God offers us a way of life which, although we might not always see the connections or understand the long-range implications, is a good way of life. In fact, the good way of life. Jesus is the way of this true life.
However, by focussing on man and woman’s disobedience, it’s easy to miss the profound implications of two short lines within the narrative.
Despite their rejection of Him, the Lord God focussed his efforts and called out: “Where are you?” And then he clothed the man and woman in leather garments to protect them in the life they have chosen outside of the Garden. The garments protected their bodies from the sun, and the wind, and the cold, and the thorns. They also protected their psychological and emotional states. They were ashamed to be fully present to one another after eating the fruit. They were ashamed of their nakedness, their vulnerabilities. The clothing (as does ours) offered shelter for their emotions as well as for their bodies.
The word “mercy” means to understand the need of someone else and to satisfy that need without thought of one’s self. In Genesis 3 we meet a living God who understands our needs (physical, emotional, psychological) and is active in satisfying those needs.
In Jesus, this God has demonstrated that not even the grave will prevent him from making beautiful things out of his good creations. In the Resurrection we have the assurance that God has not abandoned us to toil among the thorns on this side of the Garden’s gates. In this age, we still have to contend with the thorns and the thistles and the pain. And yet, Jesus of Nazareth, together with the Holy Spirit and the Father offers us a way of life that will not be overwhelmed by the struggle. A way of life revealed to our hearts and minds by the Spirit through the written word of God.
If we’re willing to let him, our Father in Heaven continues to clothe us. He asks from us a long-term commitment to continue listening and learning to follow his directions and walk with Jesus throughout our present life. To hear his call: “Where are you?” And to respond, “Here I am, renew a right spirit within me.”