Isn’t this an amazing story? It implies that God Himself brought a sacrifice, from which He prepared the garments of skin. He then clothed Adam and Eve with those garments. They probably observed God preparing and bringing that sacrifice. They never had seen anything like it, and the whole procedure must have deeply affected them.

Under the Levitical system, the officiating priest had the privilege to be clothed with such a garment after he presented to God a burnt offering on behalf of an Israelite. Such a sacrifice was completely for God, except for its skin which was reserved for the officiating priest (Lev. 7:8). In other words, the burnt offering, which was entirely for God, had one part, namely its skin, that was given to the officiating priest for his own personal use. This gives us the concept of “a garment of skin.” We may see in this an illustration of what God had in mind for us. As priestly sons, we may be occupied to bring Christ’s sacrifice to God, which is for His joy. Indeed, it is His joy to have many sons for Himself, clothed in this manner. This reminds us of “the prodigal son,” whose father asked for the best garment to be brought to have his restored son clothed with it (Lk. 15:22).

God has accepted us “in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6) and clothed us with Him. When God sees us, He sees His beloved Son because we are “in Him”—marvelous privilege! The Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Him (Eph. 1:3). This will never change. Thus, as priestly sons, we may present to the Father His Beloved: His Person, His sacrifice, all that speaks of Him and that is precious to the Father, and now also to us. Luke 15 helps us to understand God’s grace and the Father’s delight. All praise to the Father and the Son!