The Moral Origins of Clothing

The failure of Adam and Eve to observe God’s law enabled evil to work in the creation. Its immediate consequence was personal and struck at the heart of man's and woman’s existence - their sexuality. Evil broke down the unity of man and God and the unity between man and woman and the unity between man and nature. They became ashamed of their nakedness and tried to hide from God and covered themselves with fig leaves.

The shame that they felt at the breaking of God’s commandment shows that man cannot live without God’s law. God’s law was covering them from shame as long as they conformed to it. As soon as they broke it, they felt ashamed.

God had to step in and provide a temporary solution. That solution consisted of providing them with clothing from animal skin. Needless to say, the animals had to be slain to provide covering for man. Clothing sets apart man from beast. It’s a constant reminder of man’s need for the covering of God’s law and that man is a special creation apart from the beast.

As the order in nature broke down after evil was enabled, clothing came to serve a utilitarian purpose also, and man needed clothing to preserve his existence against a hostile environment. However, the original purpose of clothing was moral, not utilitarian. It continues to serve as a covering for shame.

The permanent solution for the covering for shame before God comes with Jesus Christ.