Modesty 2

I posted previously on modesty and have been reflecting further on that post.

The first knowledge of Adam and Eve (and allegorically our first knowledge) is nakedness. Nakedness is vulnerability. It is awareness of mortality and the threats to the body. It is even an awareness that the body may not be fully under our control. 

Certainly a child learns about his body when he first starts to recognize it and control it. 

What was Adam and Eve's response?


They were ashamed of their vulnerability. In their futile self-sufficiency (pride) they made a completely hopeless and inadequate cover. It was a childish attempt to hide their vulnerability. There are analogs in our behavior through many stages of our own lives. 

Then they hid. Classic futile avoidance behavior. It is entirely ignorant behavior and betrays the incompleteness of knowledge. 

Our own puny efforts are inadequate to cure our vulnerability. We will die. In our pride, we can fake it with fig leaves but no matter how ornate and how broad the fig leaf it will not protect us. 

The correct remedy is to confess our vulnerability to God and to seek his protection. He provides us the proper cover for our vulnerability. The coat of skins is entirely figurative but this product of sacrifice is a symbol that Christ offers us which signifies His atonement. It is a symbol of His intercession for us. It is not a passive protection. It requires obedience to fully deploy its' protective power. But when, figuratively, it is worn properly, it marks us as a member of His household wearing His livery in His service. 

The ordinances of the gospel are investiture ceremonies that provide for us the whole armor of God. These promises of protection are activated by obedience to the covenants associated with the ordinance.