How does Genesis 3:21 foreshadow the sacrificial system in Leviticus? The scene in Eden Genesis 3:21 – “And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.” What stands out in the verse • A real, historic act by the LORD God after the Fall • Garments are made “of skin,” implying the death of at least one animal • God Himself provides and applies the covering; Adam and Eve contribute nothing Echoes of later sacrifices • First death in Scripture → first hint that sin requires life-blood to be shed • A substitutionary act: an innocent creature dies so the guilty may be covered • Bloodshed outside the garden anticipates tabernacle worship outside the Most Holy Place • Divine initiative: just as God supplies skins, He later prescribes every offering (Leviticus 1:1) Direct links to Leviticus • Burnt offering (Leviticus 1) – entire animal given to God, securing acceptance; Eden’s skins arise from a complete animal sacrifice known only to God • Sin offering (Leviticus 4) – blood deals with offense, flesh benefits the sinner; Adam and Eve receive the “benefit” of the slain animal through covering • Atonement language – “to make atonement” (kaphar) in Leviticus shares root with “covering”; God literally covers their shame with a skin covering Forward movement of the theme 1. Eden: individual sinners clothed by one sacrifice 2. Leviticus: nation of Israel forgiven through an ongoing system of sacrifices 3. Calvary: once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:1–14) ends the need for further offerings Takeaways • Sin always brings death; God graciously provides the substitute • The skins point ahead to the priestly system, which in turn points to the cross • From the very first chapters, Scripture presents one unified, literal storyline: salvation through sacrificial blood provided by God Himself |
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