God's Covering

March 28, 2021

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

~Genesis 3:21~

Our Father created everything there is to be seen for provision, joy and security. His love for us started way before He made the heavens and the earth itself. He knew beginning to end and knew we would rebel. He loved us anyway. When He made the animals it was to give us dominion over them and fill our enviroment with adventure. Then He created Adam and gave him the ability to name every creature He had just made. "Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name."

(Genesis 2:19)

Think about how much love is behind just the very idea of allowing someone to name your creation. He wanted a true partnership with Adam. He was made in His very own image, which proves how much He longs to walk with us, to have fellowship and intimacy. For God said it is not good for Adam to be alone. His love is so great to us He is willing to involve the one He made in His works even though He knew He would cause sin to enter this world He had made. The Garden was God's very first Tabernacle. His place of dwelling with man. He longed to embrace His children each day and speak with them; the only thing He asked in return was obedience to His commands. A loyal Father will always require rules to remain safe. That is love. "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)

After His children chose to rebel and not listen to His command, the discipline came forth. God was upset at what Adam had chose and therefore had no choice but to send them out of the Tabernacle, being the Garden of Eden. Before doing so, He was still faithful enough to send them out with a covering over their bodies as protection on their journey. His very own covering of an animal He decided to kill. The first blood shed on earth for human as His act of divine love and a foreshadowing of what He would do for all of mankind; covering us of our sin. Nobody is sure of what animal He had sacrificed for Adam and Eve's covering. Perhaps it was a lamb? This is just a thought. Perhaps the Lord God was showing mankind punishment with a saving grace behind it. The very fact that He was to bring forth His Son to sacrifice His own flesh and blood to cover us of our own sins for eternity. Jesus Christ went to the cross naked, just as Adam and Eve hid themselves from God. "They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." (Psalms 22:18)

He gave up His own Body as a holy covering for all of us to walk with God yet again. Jesus' flesh allows us to be created a new, in our glorified bodies that we originally meant to have with God. "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

(I Corinthians 6:20)

As we receive Jesus into our life we receive His divine covering, we are able to be God's Tabernacle and we may have constant communion with Him as He so much desires of us all. "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."

(Revelation 21:3)

God is always one step ahead of the enemy. He is always planning a great way to receive His children back to Him and He will go to great lengths to do so. First animal sacrifice as a sign of mercy towards the original created man/woman and the final sacrifice of the Lamb, His Son, as an act of mercy towards all who would receive Him.

"And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36)

God's covering has been consistent throughout scriptures, even to all who disobeyed Him. We remember the tree God created for Jonah to get out of the heat of the sun; "And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant." (Jonah 4:6)

Even aa Jonah complained and ran away, the Lord's mercy endures forever. God's faithfulness is prevalent all throughout as He points to Jesus to save us, to be our divine covering of sin and shame. Under Him we are forgiven and loved. Under Him we are able to return to our glorified state of God's original plan! Under Him we are to be involved in His works just as Adam once was. Glory be to God for His amazing love and sacrifice time and time again! Let us give ourselves to Him fully in obedience, its the least we could do.

Prayer:

Gracious Father of mine, thank you deeply for Your amazing sacrifice that started in the Garden as a sign of Your unwavering love, even as Adam and Eve disobeyed You. You never stopped loving us and You always made a way for us to be covered. There is punishment yet there is a way and it is all thanks to Your amazing Son Jesus Christ, my Lord, who gave Himself as a righteous covering for me. I put on the garments of my Lord each day as I walk beside You Father. I know that because of His love for me I can now be seen as Him each time we talk. You no longer see my sin that I once walked in before I repented. I receive all the blessings of heaven today as I walk in obedience to Your word and commands. Lord, help me to never trip over myself. Show me how to think as You think. Speak as You speak. Act as You act. Without Your Covering I am hopeless, with it I am free! I give You all the glory as I show the world who You are. May all honor and praise be to You, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Amen.