In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve choose to rebel against the Lord and the consequences are cataclysmic. As guilt and disgrace have now entered the scene, they sew fig leaves together and make themselves loincloths. They attempt to cover their shame.
Yet, something interesting is recorded in the biblical text in Genesis 3:21. The Scripture states, "And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them."
Three things are worth noticing here. First, their own attempt to cover their shame was rejected. What they attempted to do physically, ever since, mankind has attempted spiritually...namely, to cover their own shame. Every religion in the world except Christianity is some form of man doing something to earn his own salvation or cover his own guilt. Our efforts to deal with our sin have never been able to suffice.
Second, notice that the Lord Himself made garments to cover Adam and Eve and to clothe them. If our own efforts cannot take care of our problem, are we just left without hope? We would be hopeless if not for God being the One who pursues us and provides for us. We are not without hope because in Christ, God has made a way for sinners to find grace and forgiveness.
Third, we see a foreshadowing of the work Jesus will do. The ultimate provision for our sin is made when Jesus dies on the cross. In grace and mercy, God removes the sins of those who believe and our sins are carried away (Psalm 103:12).
Like Adam and Eve, our covering is provided for us by God Himself. God the Father sends His only Son to die in our place. Read the words of Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Take heart. God has always made a way for sinners to find grace. Jesus has covered the sin for those who have faith in Him. God's wrath is satisfied, Christ is glorified, and sinners are justified.
Amazing Grace!
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