Fig Leaves and Animal Skins

Before they sinned, Adam and Eve had nothing to hide. Afterward, the first thing they did was try to cover themselves. People have been sewing fig leaves ever since.

Nothing to hide. In the beginning, “they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25). They were completely open with God and with each other. They had no secrets and no fear.

Shame came in. After they ate, “they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Shame is the feeling that something is wrong with us and that we must hide.

Fig leaves. “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” (Genesis 3:7). They made something to hide behind. It was their own idea, made with their own hands.

Leaves wither. Fig leaves dry up and crumble. A covering we make for ourselves cannot last, and it cannot reach the heart.

Hiding from God. Even with their coverings on, they “hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees” (Genesis 3:8). The leaves did not take away their fear. You can hide from people, but you cannot hide from God.

Blaming others. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13). Blaming is another kind of fig leaf. It hides our sin behind someone else. It is easier to point at others than to admit we were wrong.

Our best is not enough. “All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Even our good deeds cannot cover our sin before a holy God. Good deeds are good, but they cannot pay for sin.

Covering does not work. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Fig leaves today. People still hide behind excuses, lies, trying to look good, or saying that everybody does it. None of these can make a heart clean.

A better way. David prayed, “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden… And You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

God's promise. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Not by works. God saved us “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5).

What to do. Is there something you have been hiding? Take off the fig leaves. Tell God the truth, and tell a parent you trust. God is waiting with open arms.

Fig leaves were Adam and Eve's idea. Tunics of skin were God's. Before He sent them out of the garden, God Himself gave them a covering that worked.

God's gift. “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). A tunic is a long shirt that covers the body.

God did it. Adam and Eve did not make these clothes. The Lord God made them and put them on them. God provides what we cannot. He did not leave them in their leaves.

A life was given. Skins come from animals. For Adam and Eve to be clothed, an animal had to die. Many Christians see this as the first picture of sacrifice.

Why blood? Later God taught His people that “without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Remission means sins sent away.

The Lamb. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus is the Lamb God Himself provided.

Precious blood. We were saved “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Without blemish means perfect.

A great trade. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus takes our sin and gives us His goodness. No one has ever been offered a better trade.

White as snow. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). God can make the dirtiest heart clean.

Truly covered. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).

Far away. “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). God does not keep a list of forgiven sins to hold against us.

No condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Condemnation means being sentenced as guilty. Jesus took that sentence for us.

Welcomed. Jesus never turns away a sinner who comes to Him. He said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). No one who comes to Jesus is turned away.

What to do. Thank Jesus that He covers your sin. When you feel ashamed, remember that God has already clothed you in Jesus.