Christ Enduring The Sweat Unto Death For Us and Providing A Covering For Sin; Genesis 3:7&19

I know not whether we ought to consider this chapter, as the most melancholy, or the most pleasing in the whole Bible. It certainly contains the substance of what forms both.

• Here we read the sad origin of sin, and its unavoidable consequences, misery and death.

• And here, no less, behold the first discoveries of grace, in the promised redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 15).

(cf. Revelation 12:7, Hebrews 2:14, Isaiah 53:10, Colossians 2:15, Romans 16:20). How sweet and precious are all these Scriptures, in confirmation of this glorious promise!

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"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou also eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:19).

(cf. Job 27:13-14; Psalm 22:15).

How sweet a relief ought it to be to the poor man who earns his bread by the sweat of his brow, while thus bearing a part in the sin and punishment of Adam's transgression, to consider ... all that concerns Jesus, in whose sufferings we had no portion.

Yes! Thou dear Redeemer,

• Thou didst tread the wine press of Thy Father's wrath alone.

• Thou didst bear the curse.

• Thou didst endure the bloody sweat.

• Thou didst die the death.

• And oh! what a thought! Thou wast made sin for us when Thou knewest no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Thee (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21).

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"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (Genesis 3:7).

One thought more, let me add, before we leave this precious chapter, which is suggested to the mind in the foolish attempt of our first parents, after their transgression, to seek shelter from the Divine presence.

Reader! may it be your mercy and mine also, upon all occasions of guilt, to seek a throne of grace though both sin and conscience accuse, and not run away from mercy.

May we never forget that there is One there, whom the Father heareth alway.

Oh! may the blessed Spirit lead us to our God in Christ –

• not in the flimsy covering of any thing we call our own by way of finding favour, like the fig-leaf righteousness of our poor parents, to conceal our shame;

• but clothed in the perfect robe of Jesus' righteousness typified by the coat of skins, that we may appear comely, in His complete covering, and be accepted in the Beloved, 'without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.'