From Fig Leaves To Furs – Genesis 3:7

The Bible is full of symbols that point to God’s redemptive plan for man. Today we are going to look at quite possibly the first such symbol in the Old Testament. In Genesis we are told what happens to Adam and Eve right after they sinned…

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7)(NIV)

A few verses later…

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21) (NIV)

Adam and Eve tried to cover their bodies, and symbolically their sin, the best way they knew how by sewing some leaves together. However the Lord showed them, and us, that it would take more than the works of their own hands to cover sin. The Lord shed the innocent blood of an animal to make garments for Adam and Eve so that they may be covered both physically and spiritually.

The shedding of innocent blood remained the method of atonement for sin all the way up to the day that Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The shedding of His innocent blood is sufficient to cover the sins of all who accept that gift and repent of their sins. Because God is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin there must be an atonement for your sin if you are going to heaven when you leave this earth. Being a “good person” is not good enough. Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?