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Message Monday, December 5, 2011 Dottie
our cat watches when I eat cereal at my desk and waits for me to set
the bowl down. When I'm finished she laps up any remaining milk. I don't think I would find this a very comfortable eating position! "The First Tailor" "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). "And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger" (Luke 2:7). What type of clothing distinguishes you? Of course that will vary depending on where you live, your customs, the climate and so forth. It would be interesting to have a group photo of Daily Encouragement readers from all around the world and note the wide variety and yet basic similarity! ![]() The very first immediate consequence of the fall was that Adam and Eve became aware of their own nakedness and need for a covering. The Bible describes their pre-fallen condition as "naked and not ashamed." An easily observable condition to this day regardless of where we live is the natural and unashamed nakedness in the animal kingdom. Our three pets, two dogs and a cat, run around all day without a stitch of clothing and think nothing of it. If animals are clothed it's due to a novelty for humans such as putting sweaters on dogs or perhaps an assumption that they need additional warmth in severe climates. Even the "higher" animals, those that evolutionists claim are "more related" to us, do not clothe themselves. The need to clothe and the ability to do so is distinctively human and goes back to a consequence of the fall. At the very moment of Adam's transgression (interestingly not Eve's) their eyes were "opened, and they realized they were naked" (Genesis 3:7). They crudely sewed fig leaves together to make coverings and sought to hide from God. But God initiated the search and the very first question God asked fallen Adam were, "Where are you?". He proceeded to pronounce judgment for their disobedience. But God also acted redemptively in serving as the first custom tailor. Consider the provision in the daily text: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). Where did the "skin" come from? Up to this point there had been no death in the Garden. Surely an animal or animals were slain to provide these skins. It sure wasn't road kill!* Blood was shed. I believe it was likely a lamb, but this is not specified. The two verbs are so rich in meaning. God made and God clothed. What a type of a wonderful covering God provides for all mankind! Isaiah proclaimed and so can we today, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). We fast forward to the birth of Christ when Almighty God became the supreme articulation of Deity to all humankind. "And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger." Charles Wesley, in his first published hymn text, "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" reveals God's greatest Gift to the world in the following words: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity. Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() See Hebrews 1:2,3 and John 14 :10 Brooksyne's Note: Many references from Scripture come to mind regarding the clothing that is not an outward adornment bringing glory to oneself. Rather I'm thinking of the clothing that dresses the inner self where the character of Christ is revealed to others as we converse and mingle with others throughout the day. Consider I Peter 3:1-6 where Paul speaks to wives regarding their inner dress. In Colossians 3:1-12 Paul tells believers to clothe themselves with humility, compassion, kindness, etc. Ephesians 6:10-17 reminds us of the ensuing battle of the enemy and the only way we will be victorious is by clothing ourselves in spiritual armor. * Explanation: For any readers unfamiliar with the term "road kill"; it's an animal that's been run over by a vehicle. In certain parts they will salvage the meat of a road kill deer if they know it's still fresh enough to eat safely. ![]() Following the Christmas Tea we had lunch with our friends who attended and then went to the National Christmas Center - it's really like a museum. It was featured in the most recent Martha Stewart Magazine. And then our last stop was the mall where Ester insisted I put on this silly hat so she could take a photo for her facebook. So here we are.....and the hats remain at the J.C. Penney's store (for any interested). The least I can do is run a free commercial for them since we "borrowed" their knit caps with braids for the photo shoot! Stephen's note: This last Saturday my cousin, 80 years old, passed away. Jeannine is the oldest from our generation of cousins and the first of our generation to go. Jeannine was always positive, never grumpy and no touchy disposition on her part. She was always pleasant to be around and interested in others. Today's
Suggested Music
and Supplemental
Resources "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" Video Amy Grant "Immanuel" Video Charles Billingsley Are
you Christmas
shopping online? ![]() Please
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