To provide a blood atonement, God shed the blood of an animal and used the skin to cover Adam and Eve. (vs. 21) This is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would ultimately do. (John 1:29) It was also the pattern used throughout the Jewish Scriptures and was in effect during the Gospels as part of the Mosaic Law. (Galatians 4:4)

The remaining verses in Genesis 3 reveal the initial steps God took to prevent Adam and Eve from remaining in their sinful state. We have already seen that there was a “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” in the garden. But there was also another special tree, “the tree of life”. The statement by God, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever” means that if Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of life at that point, they would have remained in their sinful state forever. This would necessitate their eternal separation from God. This was not God’s will. Therefore, God prevented them from eating of the tree of life.

It is interesting to note that when believers are in the eternal state, when the sin nature we have has been removed, we will have access to and be able to eat from the tree of life. (Revelation 2:7; 22:14) What a day that will be! Thank God for the atonement provided through Jesus Christ!