The Discovery of Genesis (51 page)

It was thus that death came into God’s perfect creation–as a result of Adam’s sin. The lesson which God intended to teach through the sacrificial act was to demonstrate that sin is costly, for only by death of the sinless Son of God, Jesus, could the full penalty be met. God Himself provided a way of escape to the repentant ones who had faith in His vicarious sacrifice for man.

This is further demonstrated by the third word for
beginning
, which pictures
clothing
and a
knife
, indicating that only death by slaying a symbolic innocent animal could provide clothing. The third historic
beginning
denotes the initiation of God’s plan of redemption and grace for the human race. Note these earlier forms which completely confirm the Genesis narrative:
where
depicts
two
mouths
(persons)
being
covered
,
and a
knife
. Observe a variation of style of writing in
, again portraying the same!

The original exchange of garments becomes the oft repeated symbolism later in the Bible for the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ on the sinner’s behalf. The same participants as in the Eden drama are portrayed by Zechariah 3:1–4: “Then He showed me Joshua the high priest [Adam, sinner] standing before the Angel of the Lord [the Lord God, Christ] and Satan [the serpent, Lucifer] standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem [God’s people] rebuke you! Is not this a brand [sinner] plucked from the fire? Now Joshua was standing before the Angel, clothed with filthy garments [fig leaves, self-righteousness]. And the Angel said to those who were standing before Him, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel’” [garments of skins which God provided, symbolizing the righteous character of the Lamb of God].