HE COVERS IT ALL!

In my class in Biblical Theology, one question is always asked by the students. What really connects the Old Testament and the New Testament?” There are more than a dozen answers to this question, but I will mention only one – forgiveness. God’s act of forgiving sinners is found throughout the Old and New Testament. After Adam and Eve have fallen into sin, we read in Genesis 3:7-10, 21,
7. ‘Then the eyes of both of them were opened,and they knew they were naked, and the sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. 8. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presene of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9. Then the Lord God called the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”10. He said “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself. . . . 21. The Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
God’s command to Adam and Eve was very clear and was completely understood by both of them. So, not understanding the command was not made as a reason for their failure to obey. On top of this, God will not give an unbiguous command. He is full of wisdom and He will never leave his creatures an iota of reference to doubt His command.
Both Adam and Eve knew the terrible consequence of their disobedience – FEAR and DEATH. As sure as they were of the consequence, they tried to remedy the situation by hiding themselves from God and by making coverings made of fig leaves. Maybe they thought that this man-made remedy would be enough to restore their relationship with God. But it was of no effect. Only by God’s grace and His own remedial measure can the relationship be restored. God did not give them up just as He does not give up on us. God made a provision for their coverings. What Adam and Eve have done was not enough to cover their sinfulness. God made a “tunic of skin” of animal to complete the deal. An animal was slain (though not expressly written) to get the skin for coverings. The blood of the animal was shed in the garden to redeem or restore Adam and Eve. Even as early as this stage of human history, He points us to the cross of Christ. God has already made a preview of how the fallen humanity could be saved. Through God’s own work of grace in the blood of His only Son Jesus Christ that was shed on the mount of Calvary. Our own innovative ideas will not do it! Only God can!