The First Sin - Justice and Mercy part 4

It seems from the beginning, from the time of Adam and Eve and the first sin, we as mankind had no hope. Yet, even though man rejected God’s love by disobeying Him, God’s mercy and steadfast love for man overcame God’s call for justice.

God told Adam that if he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die.

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." - Genesis 2:16-17 KJV

In order for God to keep His word, man’s sin of disobedience required the shedding of blood.

Justice called for the death of Adam and Eve for their sin.

Mercy called for a substitute to take their place so their life could be spared.  

As a substitute for the death of Adam and Eve, God took from His creation the life of an innocent animal.

"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them." - Genesis 3:21 KJV

"And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife." - Genesis 3:21 NLT

This shedding of blood of an innocent animal would provide a temporary covering for Adam and Eve’s sin.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 KJV

"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." - Leviticus 17:11 NIV

"for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible." - Leviticus 17:11 NLT

To be continued...