“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”
This verse comes after the account of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. They had eaten the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and as a result, they became aware of their nakedness and felt ashamed.
In this verse, we see God’s response to Adam and Eve’s newfound awareness of their nakedness. God made “coats of skins” and clothed them. This act of clothing Adam and Eve is significant for several reasons:
Provision and Care: God’s act of making garments for Adam and Eve demonstrates His care for them. Even though they had sinned and brought about the consequences of their actions, God did not abandon them. Instead, He provided for their immediate physical need of clothing. This reveals God’s compassionate nature and His desire to meet the needs of His creation.
Atonement and Sacrifice: The “coats of skins” mentioned in the verse imply that an animal had to be sacrificed to provide the skins for clothing. This suggests the first act of sacrifice and shedding of blood in the Bible. It foreshadows the concept of atonement for sin through the shedding of blood, which would later become an integral part of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.
Consequences of Sin: The need for clothing arose as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Before their sin, they were innocent and unashamed of their nakedness. However, sin introduced shame and the awareness of their vulnerability and imperfections. The act of clothing serves as a reminder of the brokenness that sin brought into the world and the need for redemption.
Symbolism and Redemption: Clothing in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. In this context, the act of clothing Adam and Eve represents God’s grace and His intention to cover their shame. It also points towards the future promise of redemption through Jesus Christ, who would provide a covering for the sins of humanity through His sacrifice on the cross.
Overall, Genesis 3:21 highlights God’s care, provision, and grace, even in the face of human disobedience and the consequences of sin. It sets the stage for God’s redemptive plan, which unfolds throughout the rest of the Bible.
