Genesis 3:8 commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verse 8. Some visible tokens of the Lord’s presence, perhaps in human form, seem here intimated; of which we shall hereafter find undeniable instances; and which should be considered as anticipations of His incarnation, who is called, “The Word of God:” though the word rendered walking may be referred to the voice, and not to the Lord.—Some learned men, indeed, explain all these appearances of the SHECHINAH, or visible glory, indicating the divine presence, which at sometimes shone with mild lustre, at others in terrific majesty: But I shall hereafter assign some reasons for thinking, that this hypothesis has its sole foundation in the imaginations of Jewish rabbi, and is totally destitute of scriptural proof, except where express mention is made of visible glory (Note, Ge 32:30.)—“The cool of the day” was, probably, one time of Adam and Eve’s accustomed worship; when, doubtless, they had been used to welcome the tokens of the divine presence, with that kind of exulting joy with which a dutiful child meets the approbation of an indulgent parent. But now, conscious guilt inspired terror, and they desired to flee and hide themselves from God, as no longer their bounteous Friend, but their dreadful enemy, who was about to take vengeance on them.—Where was now the wisdom which they were to derive from the forbidden fruit? Alas! They could only devise a foolish project, of hiding themselves from the all-seeing eye of God under the shade of a few trees! (Marg. Ref.)
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verse 8: Guilt and fear are inseparable. They no sooner hear the voice of God, than that which was before their delight and joy, becomes their horror and confusion. It should seem God appeared to them in Eden, as he afterwards designed to appear in the world to suffer, and shall appear at the last to judge; and this might tempt them to think it was probable enough, that as he appeared like them in person, they might become like him in power. But now their presumptuous hopes are at an end, and they seek the thickest covert to be hid from his eye. Their own consciences become accusers, and they have already the sentence of death in themselves; now they begin to discover the lie of the tempter: their godhead is debased into the lowest wretchedness, their promised power into abject weakness, and their proud wisdom into senseless folly. Learn hence, 1. The falsehood of sins promises: such will every disobedient soul prove his cost. He expects happiness, but there will be found a lie in his right hand. 2. That God will discover sin, be it ever so concealed. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him, saith the Lord?
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