East Of Eden
Exodus 38
“East of Eden” is a novel by American author John Steinbeck. It also became a movie with young breakout star James Dean. The book parallels the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. It weaves the story of dysfunctional and destructive relationships. That’s a result of life east of Eden. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, sin entered the world and the result was being cast out of Eden.
Sin separates. Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness and sought clothes to cover themselves. Adam blamed Eve for the fiasco in the Garden. Each of them were cast out of Eden and their son became humanity’s first murderer.
It’s easy to miss something else that took place in the Garden. Genesis 3:21 says, “And the LORD made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” God shed the blood of an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s shame. Sin separates and sin brings shame. What a beautiful foreshadowing of a loving and merciful God who would eventually shed blood again to cover our sin and shame.
In Psalm 32:1 David wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Blood is required to cover sin. Hebrews 9:22 teaches this: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
This is an amazing and humbling truth, but what does this have to do with Exodus 38? The first seven verses of chapter 28 give details of the altar of burnt offering. Why was this altar a necessary part of the tabernacle? Leviticus 17:11 tells us: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”
There was no access to God apart from being covered by blood. In the tabernacle (and later the temple), it was the shed blood of an animal. The altar of burnt offering was a visual reminder of the need for sacrificial atonement to meet with God. These sacrifices needed to be repeated daily.
A shadow of the Savior. Our Sacrificial Lamb was offered at the altar of the cross. His precious, perfect blood covered the punishment of sin once and for all. Our access to the Father was made a reality on that first Easter morning, when the tomb was found empty. There exists today no altar of burnt offering nor even a temple. Why? It’s no longer needed. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law!
And yet we still live east of Eden. Sin still separates. That’s why we still come to the cross to confess sin. It’s why we need to share the gospel. The sacrifice of the Savior must be embraced. Have you come to the altar of the cross for salvation? If so, are you intentionally sharing the gospel with those who haven’t?
And oh, what a glorious day, when Jesus returns, and we will no longer leave east of Eden. We will for eternity live in the glorious presence of Jesus, without sin or shame.
Exodus 38
“East of Eden” is a novel by American author John Steinbeck. It also became a movie with young breakout star James Dean. The book parallels the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. It weaves the story of dysfunctional and destructive relationships. That’s a result of life east of Eden. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, sin entered the world and the result was being cast out of Eden.
Sin separates. Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness and sought clothes to cover themselves. Adam blamed Eve for the fiasco in the Garden. Each of them were cast out of Eden and their son became humanity’s first murderer.
It’s easy to miss something else that took place in the Garden. Genesis 3:21 says, “And the LORD made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” God shed the blood of an animal to cover Adam and Eve’s shame. Sin separates and sin brings shame. What a beautiful foreshadowing of a loving and merciful God who would eventually shed blood again to cover our sin and shame.
In Psalm 32:1 David wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Blood is required to cover sin. Hebrews 9:22 teaches this: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
This is an amazing and humbling truth, but what does this have to do with Exodus 38? The first seven verses of chapter 28 give details of the altar of burnt offering. Why was this altar a necessary part of the tabernacle? Leviticus 17:11 tells us: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”
There was no access to God apart from being covered by blood. In the tabernacle (and later the temple), it was the shed blood of an animal. The altar of burnt offering was a visual reminder of the need for sacrificial atonement to meet with God. These sacrifices needed to be repeated daily.
A shadow of the Savior. Our Sacrificial Lamb was offered at the altar of the cross. His precious, perfect blood covered the punishment of sin once and for all. Our access to the Father was made a reality on that first Easter morning, when the tomb was found empty. There exists today no altar of burnt offering nor even a temple. Why? It’s no longer needed. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law!
And yet we still live east of Eden. Sin still separates. That’s why we still come to the cross to confess sin. It’s why we need to share the gospel. The sacrifice of the Savior must be embraced. Have you come to the altar of the cross for salvation? If so, are you intentionally sharing the gospel with those who haven’t?
And oh, what a glorious day, when Jesus returns, and we will no longer leave east of Eden. We will for eternity live in the glorious presence of Jesus, without sin or shame.
Posted in Journey of Hope