Covered by God's Grace!

COVERED IN GOD'S GRACE

Gen 3:21 Then the LORD God made clothes out of animal skins for the man and his wife. 22 The LORD said, "These people now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever." 23 So the LORD God sent them out of the Garden of Eden, where they would have to work the ground from which the man had been made.

-God provided cover for man, even after they had disobeyed. Naked and ashamed, they had covered themselves with leaves. God showed them that they were covered by his grace. The skin of a sacrifice was their covering. Even as we are covered acc to Psa_132:9, Psa_132:16; Isa_61:10; Rom_13:14; Eph_4:24; Col_3:10).

Various reasons for this action have been suggested:

And clothed them. The commentators are either too practical or too sin-focussed. Yes, there were practical reasons for God to cover Adam and Eve.  But look down at 8. for a prophetic understanding that gives purpose and meaning of this action in a Better Covenant Theology.

1. To show them how their mortal bodies might be defended from cold and other injuries.2. To cover their nakedness for comeliness’ sake; vestimenta honoris (Chaldee Paraphrase).3. To teach them the lawfulness of using the beasts of the field, as for food, so for clothing.4. To give a rule that modest and decent, not costly or sumptuous, apparel should be used.5. That they might know the difference between God’s works and man’s invention—between coats of leather and aprons of leaves; and, 6. To put them in mind of their mortality by their raiment of dead beasts’ skins.

...and from the School of Man's Total Depravity:

7. "That they might feel their degradation—quia vestes ex ca materia confectae, belluinum quiddam magis saperent, quam lineae vel laneae—and be reminded of their sin" (Calvin). "As the prisoner, looking on his irons, thinketh on his theft, so we, looking on our garments, should think on our sins" (Trapp).
8. But here is a Grace Perspective...A foreshadowing of the robe of Christ’s righteousness (Delitzsch, Macdonald, Murphy, Wordsworth, Candlish; cf. Psa_132:9, Psa_132:16; Isa_61:10; Rom_13:14; Eph_4:24; Col_3:10).   Bonar recognizes in Jehovah Elohim at the gate of Eden, clothing the first transgressors, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, as the High Priest of our salvation, had a right to the skins of the burnt offerings (Deu_7:8), and who, to prefigure his own work, appropriated them for covering the pardoned pair.

God's Grace covers you, as Christ is the clothing you wear. We are reminded to 'wear Jesus' in this world. Rom 13:12 Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light. Rom 13:13 So behave properly, as people do in the day. Don't go to wild parties or get drunk or be vulgar or indecent. Don't quarrel or be jealous.

Rom 13:14 Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won't try to satisfy your selfish desires.

Isa 61:10 I celebrate and shout because of my LORD God. His saving power and justice are the very clothes I wear. They are more beautiful than the jewelry worn by a bride or a groom.

Psa 132:8 Come to your new home, LORD, you and the sacred chest with all of its power.

Psa 132:9 Let victory be like robes for the priests; let your faithful people celebrate and shout. >>Victory for priests, as they mediate with God

Psa 132:10 David is your chosen one, so don't reject him. 11 You made a solemn promise to David, when you said, "I, the LORD, promise that someone in your family will always be king.

Psa 132:12 If they keep our agreement and follow my teachings, then someone in your family will rule forever." 13 You have gladly chosen Zion as your home, our LORD. 14 You said, "This is my home! I will live here forever. 15 I will bless Zion with food, and even the poor will eat until they are full.

Psa 132:16 Victory will be like robes for the priests, and its faithful people will celebrate and shout. 17 I will give mighty power to the kingdom of David. Each one of my chosen kings will shine like a lamp 18 and wear a sparkling crown. But I will disgrace their enemies."

We too are clothed by our Father as was the Lost Son.

Luk 15:22 But his father said to the servants, "Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

[Next, I will explore the Davidic Covenant as it relates to the Covenant of Jesus, Son of David.  We need to dig deeper into Psalm 132!]

Be blessed, students of the Word, sons of the Kingdom!