The First Designer Dress

The First Designer Dress

Eve

Read: Genesis 3:7-11, 21

“What am I going to wear today?” That’s one of the first questions we ask each morning—unless it’s “What can I still fit into?” Clothing is a big part of a woman’s life. We want to wear something that’s comfortable, stylish, and flattering. Several times a year, clothing manufacturers introduce their new lines, and the stores’ new merchandise can make us dissatisfied with our wardrobes. Many women rack up credit-card debt from spending more on clothing than their budgets allow. The billions spent on advertising make us forget that the purpose of clothing is basically to cover our naked bodies.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and felt shame for the first time, they made the first clothing—not Tommy Hilfiger, but fig leaves. God had something better in mind. Although their sin forced them to leave their perfect home and suffer painful consequences, God did not abandon them. He fashioned clothing for Adam and Eve from animal skins—garments that were more durable, protective, and less scratchy than leaves.

God’s sacrifice of animals to cover Adam’s and Eve’s nakedness foreshadowed the day when Jesus would sacrifice his life to permanently cover our sin. We may try to make ourselves spiritually presentable by following rules or rituals or by being a good person, but that will leave us spiritually underdressed.

Only the robe of forgiveness provided by Jesus’ sinless life, death, and resurrection is adequate to cover the shame of our sinful condition. Once we accept this incredible gift, our sin no longer separates us from the holy God who created us. We can draw near to him without thinking, I don’t have a thing to wear.

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:14 (NIV)