Continuing in the early chapters of Genesis this morning, and I’m drawn to three questions. And as I chew on them, I’m inclined to thinking of them as questions of grace.

And [Adam and Eve] heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

(Genesis 3:8-9 ESV)

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?”

(Genesis 4:3-6 ESV)

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done?”

(Genesis 4:8-10a ESV)

Where are you? Why has your face fallen? What have you done?

Adam and Eve have blown it big time. Eating of the fruit they were commanded not to. Trying to cover their nakedness. Thinking they can hide from God.

Their eldest, Cain, takes it to a next level. While they despise the word of God, he shows disregard for the worship of God. While they try and hide from God’s presence in self incrimination, he brazenly sulks before God in self justification. And then, he takes the life of his brother in senseless, misguided retaliation.

And it seems to me that if, at this point, God had decided to call it quits with the whole creation experiment, who could blame Him? It’s simply was not going very well. Four people into multiplying and subduing the earth and one is dead and the other three are dead in their sin. Heavy sigh. Let’s try something else.

But God . . . who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34:6), rather than abandoning the sinner, pursues the sinner. And He does so with some piercing questions. Questions demanding answers. Questions requiring honesty and transparency. Rather than forsake the fallen, He engages them with grace questioning.

He who knows all things and is everywhere asks the foolish couple, “Where are you?” I know you are wearing fig leaves and trying to hide from Me, but you need to realize it. You need to confess that your way to gaining wisdom has led you only to fleeing from the source of wisdom. Be candid, be real, admit it. Where are you?

“Why has your face fallen?” Why, when in the presence of the Creator of the world, are you so moody and mad at the world. Why, do you think, when worshiping God in a manner which seems right in your own eyes, you are so bent out of shape? Why, when your brother is rightly commended and you are lovingly corrected, are you pouting? Know your heart. Admit it’s not where it should be.

“What have you done?” Be honest and confess your sin. Stop trying to defend your actions. Instead, in contrition, repent of what you’ve done. Only when you are open about your sin can I forgive your sin (1John 1:9).

Cover up . . . it’s in our DNA. Clam up . . . it’s what our pride would have us do to protect our sense of self-worth. Come up . . . with excuses like “I’m not my brother’s keeper” (Gen. 4:9) . . . anything that lessens our sense of responsibility for our transgression. Left to ourselves, we will try and fool ourselves. But God loves us too much to let us do that. And so, He will enter into some grace questioning. Where are you? Why are you so disquieted? What have you done?

Only when, with humility and transparency, we answer the questions God asks by His Spirit, will we know the restoration and reconciliation God has provided by His Son.

Questioned by God’s grace. Questioned for God’s glory.

Makes sense?