“And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8) 

Nothing in scripture is there by accident. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…”

So, why are we told God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day?

Well, we can draw a lot out of those five words.

• There must have been other times of the day when it wasn’t cool, but hot, or at least warm.
• God doesn’t get sunburnt — so that can’t be the reason he chose the cool of the day.
• Adam and Eve were always naked up until then, so I must assume they didn’t get sunburnt either, and they probably didn’t feel the cold and heat like we do, as there is no indication that they put on clothes at night.
• From this verse, it is clear that God wasn’t with them permanently but just from time to time.
• God chose a time that was convenient for them. A time when evening was coming, and they had enjoyed the day in the garden. A time when perhaps, they were settling down and he would have their full attention.
• Unlike us, Adam and Eve had no problems or worries about finances, health or the economy. Everything was perfect — until they spoiled it.
• They had no reason to have continual communication with God. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit constantly with them.
• We on the other hand need God every day, every hour in fact, because we are surrounded by sin and temptations, and all of life’s problems.
• That is why God has given us his Holy Spirit and he is with us 24/7.

We can sometimes be envious of Adam and Eve, it seems like they had it all, yet despite that, they didn’t know that God loved them so much that he was willing to sacrifice his only son for them.

They didn’t have a heartfelt love for Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit that only comes from being rescued from our fallen estate.

We learn through pain, and up until then, they had never experienced that. All the character that God builds in us through a lifetime of knowing him only comes because we experience the troubles of life.

We stand perfect before God because of Christ’s robe of righteousness that he has given us.

So, while their situation was perfect, ours, if we love and serve him, will be even better. There will be no restrictions for us when we finally meet God face to face. 

He doesn’t need to test us anymore. We have already passed the test. The tree of life will be in heaven, and we will be able to freely eat of it. Jesus calls us friends; we are elevated to the position of heirs and joint heirs with him.