By TONY REGISTER

Columnist

 

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

At first glance, this scripture seems warm and fuzzy; giving the visual of God Himself personally placing hand-made coats on His creation. This scene, however, is anything but a Hallmark moment. The events leading to this moment changed history and the destiny of man and all creation!
Man was created in perfection; the image of God Himself, crowned with glory and honor, given dominion over all creation. All creation was perfect; no sickness, disease, violence, or death. There was only perfect harmony in creation and perfect communion between God and man.
When Adam sinned, all was forfeited. Death entered by sin. (Romans 5:12). Man lost his glory, his innocence, his purity and his ability to have communion with his creator. Man began to die. Sickness and death, violence, quiet and shame, convulsion in nature…. Total chaos. We see Adam and his wife hiding from God while wearing fig-leaf aprons in an attempt to conceal their shame. God called to them and sought them out in their sin as is always true in redemption.
Now we arrive at the scene of God making the coats of skins. In order for coats of skins to be made, something had to die. The first blood, that was shed on Earth was shed by God, Himself. Adam and Eve probably watched as the first example of substitutionary atonement, was provided by the hand of God, Himself. As stated before, the scene was anything but pleasant. The innocent substitute was slain to provide a covering for the shame resulting from the sin of man.
This first example of atonement is a true type of Christ on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
God provided Himself a lamb. God alone provided a righteousness in Christ. His righteousness is the only righteousness that clothes us and makes us acceptable unto God!
May God bless you and yours with full richness of understanding.
Tony Register, pastor
Cornerstone of Faith