Genesis: 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
[New International Translation]
Summary
After Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD, after the “Fall from Grace,” they immediately felt naked. Although they were experiencing a spiritual separation from GOD, because of their disobedience, they thought they could solve this spiritual problem in a physical way---namely by making clothes and covering their bodies. They began sewing fig leaves together to cover themselves.
FIGS
A Biblical Fruit
Figs were a common and popular fruit during biblical times. Figs were eaten fresh, dried, like raisins and they were also fermented. There are a number of references to figs in the bible besides the reference in Genesis 3:7. For example, Abigail, the wise wife of Nabal (whose name means “fool” or “folly”), baked 200 fig cakes as a peace offering for David. See, 1Samuel 25:4-38. Zacchaeus, who was short in stature and who desired to see JESUS, climbed a sycamore fig tree. See, Luke 19:4. Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Nathanael encountered JESUS. See, John 1:48.
Fig trees and grapevines were common household plants. Micah 4:4 states: “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree.” In times of war, armies often destroyed homes, vineyards and fig trees. So to be able to sit under one’s own vine and fig tree represented a time of peace and prosperity. Figs were a common fruit eaten by even the early Egyptians. Jesus used the fig tree in a number of his teaching parables. In Luke 13:6-9, there is the parable of the barren fig tree, a tree with lots of leaves (i.e. like a showy religion) but no fruit (or little value). And, in Mark 13:28-29, there is the parable of the budding fig tree. In Matthew 21:18-20 and Mark 11, there is the withered fig tree.
Health Benefit of Eating Figs
There are a number of healthy benefits of eating figs. They include the facts that:
Fig fruit is low in calories. 100 g fresh fruits provide only 74 calories. How-ever they contain health benefiting soluble dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and pigment anti-oxidants that contribute immensely for optimum health and wellness.
Dried figs are excellent source of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. In fact, dried fruits are concentrated sources of energy.
Fresh figs are high in antioxidants. Fresh figs, especially black mission, are good in poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants such as carotenes, lutein, tannins, chlorgenic acid...etc. Their anti-oxidant value is comparable to that of apples.
Fresh figs are an excellent source of vitamins. In addition, fresh fruits contain adequate levels of some of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin A, E, and K. Altogether these phyto-chemical compounds in fig fruit help scavenge harmful oxygen derived free radicals from the body and thereby protect us from cancers, diabetes, degenerative diseases and infections.
Fresh and dried figs are a good source of calcium, potassium, manga-nese, iron, selenium and zinc. Dried figs are excellent sources of miner-als like calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and zinc. 100 g of dried figs contain 640 mg of potassium, 162 mg of calcium, and 2.03 mg of iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation as well for cellular oxidation.
Figs are rich in fiber. Figs are high in fiber and are often used in weight management programs.
From “Fig Fruit Nutrition Facts,” www.nutrition-and-you.com and from “FIGS,” at www.WHfoods.com.
Figs: A Physical and Spiritually Useful Fruit:
All of the biblical references to figs are thought provoking. In fact, you may want to set aside time to read each one---the account in Genesis; the story of Abigail, David and Nabal; JESUS’ encounter with Nathanael, the story of Zacchaeus and the fig parables. Each fig account is spiritually useful.
In Genesis, GOD provided a garden with a number of trees for the first biblical couple. Instead of obeying GOD and eating fruit from the right trees, including fruit from a fig tree, Adam and Eve chose to disobey GOD and eat fruit from the wrong tree.
We all have disobeyed GOD. And, in Ephesian 6, we are given a solution to the problem of our nakedness. The apostle Paul tells us to put on the “full armor of GOD.” This spiritual armor includes:
a. The breastplate of righteousness;
b. The shield of faith;
c. The helmet of salvation;
d. The sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD;
e. Feet that are shod in the preparation of the gospel of peace; and
f. The belt of truth.
See, Ephesians 6:10-19.
Each day we decide whether we leave the house fully armored, partially armored or naked. Each day we must decide whether we will just “string a few fig leaves together,” pretend everything is “fine” or whether we will go to GOD and be real.
And, each day we must decide whether to eat healthy food or eat unhealthy food. Each day we must ask whether we have fed our spirit or whether we have neglected to spiritually feed ourselves.
Today, let us eat right, pray, be fully armored and equipped!
Let’s strive for the best and BE BLESSED!
