Perhaps the most notable fact is that when the man and woman had transgressed God’s commandment, and marred His image, God didn’t withdraw. He still came to walk together. He still came to speak. He still came!

Mankind was doing what mankind does – hiding “amongst the trees”. Sin does that. It makes us repulsed by the presence of God or anything that sounds like Him. It relegates us to corners of the garden. What’s there for us? Trees! Wasn’t it “trees” that got us into this mess? No, it was us. Not the serpent. Not the woman. Not the tree! It is futile to hide “amongst the trees” when the problem is present within us.

But amongst the trees, accompanied by our sin, there is still the voice of a loving God who still comes and He still communicates. He is “…a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). He still desires to “walk together”, and though we may not immediately appreciate everything He has to say, there is never a more important time to hear “the voice of the Lord walking in the cool of the day”. And to appreciate His heart – He still comes! And gets us out from “amongst the trees” and back in step with Him!