It is almost impossible to ponder about figs and not think about the first time we read about fig leaves! It was when Adam and Eve used the leaves to cover up their nakedness after they have sinned!
Genesis 3:7(NLT)
7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Many a times, just like Adam and Eve we try a lot of “fig leaves” to cover up our shame and guilty conscience.
Wil Pounds says man has never been able to make a “fig leaf” that will cover his sin. We try “fig leaves” of good works, church membership and religious works – all those activities that makes us look good (like we saw yesterday – figs symbolizes natural good).
There is nothing wrong with good works, but it will never be able to take away our guilt. There is only one remedy for sin.
Genesis 3:21(NLT)
21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.
Can you imagine the shock in the mind and heart of Adam and Eve when they saw two dead animals, probably lambs, lying dead before their eyes? God killed the animals and made from their skins garments and clothed Adam and Eve.
The wages of sin is death, but the immediate death that occurred was not their death, though they were guilty and deserved the death penalty; it was the death of two innocent animals. In His mercy God killed those animals for Adam and Eve.
This off course pointed to another Substitute who in time would give Himself as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. The only death that can possibly deal with sin is His death.
All outward acts of religion without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins are withered “fig leaves.” Take off your fig leaves and clothe yourself with Christ – this will put you in perfect righteousness with the Father!
Shalom!
Anina
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