Clothing and the Line of Seth

Clothing and the Line of Seth

God has cursed mankind and left them with only one hope, the Seed of the woman. Now we see God clothe Adam and Eve.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21

Just as God created man, created woman, and created marriage, now God creates clothing. Because there is only a married man and woman on the earth we see that clothing was not created to stop sexual lust. Many times Christians emphasize modest clothing to keep men from lusting. While there may be some truth to that, that is not the reason for modesty. Adam and Eve must be clothed because they can no longer stand naked before a holy God. Something must cover their sinfulness. God here clothes them in the skin of an animal. We do not know what type of animal it was, but we do know that it was perfect. The animals would not have had the time to fully feel the effects of the fall.

Thus we see that clothing is a picture of Christ. The Messiah will cover our sinfulness by giving His own life in our place. Blood must be shed so that we might live. Just as an animal died so that Adam and Eve might live, the Seed of the woman will die so that His bride might live. We must be covered by the Messiah’s life. His life will be perfect and without fault.

Therefore, clothing is a theological statement more than it is a fashion statement or sexual statement. We must cover our bodies in Christ’s righteousness because we cannot stand before God in our sin. If you believe this, you will cover your body regardless of your gender, who is around you, whether people will lust after you, etc. The only place that you may be uncovered is in private with your spouse.

From this picture of Christ we now turn to Eve bearing children.

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Genesis 4:1-2

The Scripture now begins to address the question, “Who is the Seed of the woman that will redeem mankind?” Eve names her first son Cain, meaning “gotten or acquired.” Eve thought that she had gotten the Seed that would redeem her. She next bears a child named Abel, meaning “vanity.” We soon find that Cain is not the chosen deliverer. He is rejected by God because:

  1. The state of his heart
  2. He does not bring his best
  3. He does not come through shedding of blood

Because of his rejection Cain kills Abel. The Scripture then shows us the ungodly line of Cain. Cain’s line results in polygamy, murder, and mocking of God’s law.

And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:25-26

God now gives Adam and Eve a son named Seth, meaning “appointed one.” We see in the next verse that Seth’s line brings about the worship of God. From here until the end of the Bible we will see two separate groups of people: those who reject God and those who worship Him. The Messiah is going to come through a line of broken yet redeemed people. He comes from Seth’s line (“the appointed one,”) not Cain’s.

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