"And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife." Genesis 3:21
When Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, they deserved punishment. They faced the consequences of disobeying God and choosing sin instead. God could have washed His hands of them and left them alone as they faced these consequences. Instead, God did something extraordinary. He took care of them, removed their shame, and set a plan to rescue them.
The beginning of Scripture shows evidence of God's rescue plan for humanity from sin and death. One piece of evidence can be found in the way He took care of Adam and Eve after they had to be banished from the Garden of Eden. Remember, before Adam and Eve sinned, they walked through the garden unclothed and unashamed. Then, when they sinned, they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness and created clothes using fig leaves. I have been told that fig leaves are uncomfortable and irritate the skin. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that God created new clothing for Adam and Eve out of animal skins (Genesis 3:21). This clothing was more comfortable and probably more covering and long-lasting than the clothes they had created. This provision was a picture of what was to come. You see, in order to make clothing from an animal's skin, an animal has to die. One day, years and years later, another death would occur. This time it was Jesus, the Son of God, who came to die once and all to pay the price required for our sins, death, so that we could have life in Him. The provision of animal skins that day, when Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden, is a picture of the sacrifice to come when Jesus would come and make the ultimate sacrifice.
Friends, many of us are trying to do so many things to cover up our shame. But the truth is, God has already done that for us. He sent Jesus to take on our shame and the punishment for sin so that we can restore our relationship with Him.
The hope that Jesus offers is the greatest news. It is too good to keep to ourselves today. Who do you know who is living in shame and needs the hope of Christ? Invite them to church with you for one of our services this weekend, where they will hear about the hope available through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 3:20-24 (NLT)
"Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live. 21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.
22 Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” 23 So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. 24 After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life."
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