This section begins to relate the effects of the Fall. We now see the God who was creator and benefactor in chapters 1 and 2 as judge (cf. 1:3-4). He first interrogated the offenders to obtain a confession, then announced new conditions for life, and finally provided for the sinners graciously. The sinners' responsibility was to confess their sins and to accept and trust in God's provision for them (cf. 1 John 1:9).
Note that God took the initiative in seeking out the sinners to re-establish a relationship with them. His approach was tender as well as gracious (vv. 9, 11, 13).
"In . . . spite of the apparent similarity in expression to pagan religions the anthropomorphisms of the Old Testament reveal all the more remarkably a sharply contrasting concept of deity."193
The text records several effects of the Fall on Adam and Eve.
1. They felt guilt and shame (v. 7)
2. They tried to change these conditions by their own efforts (v. 7).
3. They fled from God's presence out of fear of Him (vv. 8, 10).
4. They tried to blame their sin on another rather than confessing personal responsibility (vv. 12, 13).
The fact that Adam viewed God's good gift to him, Eve, as the source of his trouble shows how far he fell (v. 12).194He virtually accused God of causing him to fall by giving him what he now regarded as a bad gift.
