The Gospel in the Old TestamentSample

The first three chapters of the Bible tell us how the world as we know it came into being. In the first two chapters, God created the Earth and everything on it. Then in chapter 3, everything fell apart. Mankind disobeyed God, and from that day forward, the Earth has been broken by our sin.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, they had no concept of shame. Genesis 2:25 says, “Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” They were innocent and pure. But after they sinned, the Bible says that their eyes were opened, and they saw that they were naked. For the first time, they knew what it meant to feel shame. When they heard God walking in the Garden, they hid.

After the Lord had pronounced judgment on the serpent, the woman, and the man, He then did something merciful. In today’s verse, God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve. Obviously, that would have entailed the death of an animal. That had never happened before. Death did not exist on the Earth until that moment. The Lord took the life of an innocent animal in order to cover the shame of a sinful man and woman.

This would be repeated many times in the Old Testament, as the Law demanded that a spotless animal be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the Israelites. This sacrifice, however, was not a permanent solution. It was merely a precursor to the Ultimate Sacrifice Jesus would make on the Cross. The Perfect, Pure Lamb of God would be crucified on our behalf, to pay the full price of our sin.

Now, we who have placed our faith in Christ for Salvation are covered by the Blood of Jesus. Hebrews 9:22 states that, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness,” and 1 John 1:7 says that, “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

If you know Jesus, thank Him today for the Sacrifice made on your behalf, to cleanse you of your sin and cover your shame.