The third chapter of Genesis communicates many rich lessons for today, but one principle that seems largely ignored is the distinct difference in opinion between man and God as to what is appropriate clothing. After Adam and Eve sinned and realized that they were naked, they covered themselves with fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). When God confronted them and pronounced their sentence, it says, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
It is interesting that Moses did not write that God “re-clothed them” or “added additional clothing.” As far as God was concerned, they were not clothed. Though they had made some effort to cover themselves, God determined that they had not done so adequately. The Hebrew word for “coats” denotes a garment that went from the shoulders to the knees. Therefore, we can know for certain that this amount of covering pleases God. However, in today’s world, far too often, Christians and their children let summertime temperatures, the latest fads and fashion, and worldly friends have more influence on their choice of clothing than God does. How can we possibly be “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) when we do not let him influence our “other clothing”?
