In the story of Adam and Eve, we saw the overall plan of salvation and how it connects to Genesis chapter 3. Then, we took a look at the important symbols in Genesis chapter 3 save one all-too-important symbol, “the Lamb”. Here, we will explore, deeper, this symbol that runs through the entire Bible.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."  John 1:29 (KJV)

We see that, from Genesis chapter 3, a sacrifice must be made for the sins of humanity. In Genesis chapter 4, this theme is continued as Abel offered an acceptable animal sacrifice while Cain offered an unacceptable fruit offering. Later on, Noah offered sacrifices of many different animals in Genesis 8. Abraham offered sacrifices as well as his son, Isaac, as an offering to God (albeit, God withheld Abraham from completing the sacrifice, see Genesis 22). Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, also offered sacrifices to God. However, it wasn’t until the deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egypt that the sacrificial system in connection with the Sanctuary was instituted.

Satan has tried to distort the meaning of these sacrifices. In other nations, especially during the time of Biblical Israel, children and animals were being sacrificed to false gods. However, these sacrifices were meant to be a type of “payment” to appease the wrath of these false gods. Satan’s plan, since the fall of Adam and Eve, was to paint a distorted picture of God’s character. By making a counterfeit system, Satan has led men to believe that God is a tyrant waiting to execute judgement unless pacified by the death of animals and, even, innocent children. 

God didn't intend the sacrificial system to be a form of transactions to “pay” for sin. He intended it to be a means of acknowledging one’s guilt but, at the same time, believing in a Savior to come who would pay the price for that guilt. Thus, the believing sinner would recognize the claims of an unchangeable law while, also, humbly accepting the mercy of an unchangeable, loving Creator.

All these sacrifices were to represent the true Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is why John, the Baptist, was inspired to call Jesus the “Lamb of God”. This title has great significance considering the sacrifices that were offered throughout the Old Testament. As the book of Hebrews explains, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” (Hebrews 10:1). There was no merit in those sacrifices and they could not truly atone for their sins. This could only be done by the true “Lamb of God”. By the one death of Jesus Christ, the penalty for all sins was paid for. However, the sacrifices were supposed to be an act of faith. As they offered the innocent lamb on the altar, they were to think of the great love and mercy of God that would send them Someone who would save them from their sins.

It was to foreshadow the love of God that Abraham offered his son, Isaac, for an offering. It was to foreshadow the love of God that all the great patriarchs of the Old Testament would offer their lambs, goats, pigeons, etc to God. These offerings were to represent that God, who provided Adam and Eve their coats of skin, would “provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8). 

But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father's heart a love for man, not to make Him willing to save. No, no! “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us. Christ was the medium through which He could pour out His infinite love upon a fallen world. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. God suffered with His Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of Infinite Love paid the price of our redemption. Steps to Christ pg 13

Conclusion

Let’s ponder the questions asked in the Adam and Eve story once more:

• Why weren't the fig leaves enough?
• Why did God have to provide clothing of skin Himself? Where did the skin come from?
• Why did Adam and Eve recognize their nakedness after sin? and...
• Why did God include these details in the Genesis story and how do they fit into the plan of salvation?

Adam and Eve broke God’s law and disrupted the flow of love from the Father to His creation on Earth. They felt their separation from God and they felt their shame. They tried to cover things up but, unfortunately, the deed had lasting consequences that could not be solved by their actions. It was left to God, Himself, to restore the connection of man to God. It was God, Himself, who had to redeem us from the ruin of sin. It was a problem only He could solve and that solution can be summed up in two words, Jesus Christ.