“And they 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.” (Genesis 3:8)
When God created the first human couple, He blessed them and commissioned them to rule over the earth. The Creator spoke directly to His creatures. Of course, there was an immense difference between God and man, but that did not hinder their communication. Nothing stood between them.
This changed when these first humans disobeyed God. As soon as they committed that transgression, they felt uncomfortable and guilty. That’s why they hid when they heard God’s voice. They no longer dared to face Him.
The Lord God did not leave it at that. He called them to account, “Where are you?” Adam and Eve had to talk to God. They were told their deserved punishment, as well as the promise that God would fight His adversary.
This turning point, which we call the “Fall,” severely damaged the relationship between God and man. It caused separation and distance. Fortunately, God has not completely turned away from us humans. He still speaks and He still wants a relationship with us. But in order to do so, there is a lot to get out of the way.
Can you imagine what it must be like to speak directly to God? How would you respond if you heard God’s voice asking, “Where are you?”