Covering

Covered or Exposed? – A Pattern from Eden to the End

As I have continued to meditate on the Fear of Elohim, another word has consistently risen before me — covering.

Throughout Scripture, a pattern becomes clear:

When man feared Elohim, there was covering.
When reverence was removed, shame entered.
When shame remained, judgment followed.

From Eden to the end of the age, the presence — or absence — of a covering has marked the difference between life and destruction.

So the question that remains is this:

Are we truly covered — or only hiding?

The First Covering – And the First Exposure

In the beginning, Aḏam and Cḥawwāh walked openly before Elohim. There was no shame, no need to hide, no awareness of nakedness. They were covered — not only in innocence, but in the presence of Elohim Himself.

But the moment they disobeyed… everything changed.

“And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked…” — Berĕshith (Genesis) 3:7

“And they heard the voice of יהוה Elohim walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Aḏam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of יהוה Elohim amongst the trees of the garden.” — Berĕshith (Genesis) 3:8 

Once fear of Elohim was replaced by the fear of self and consequence, the covering was lost. Shame entered. Hiding began. Exposure followed.

What man stitched together — fig leaves — was not sufficient. Only Elohim Himself could provide a true covering.

From the very beginning, we see an unchanging truth:

Man cannot clothe his own shame. Only Elohim can.

The Pattern Repeats Through History

This same pattern continues again and again throughout Scripture:

• Noaḥ and the ark — covered from judgment (Berĕshith / Genesis 6–9)
• Lot removed from Sedom — spared (Berĕshith / Genesis 19:1–29)
• Yisra’ĕl covered by blood at Pĕsaḥ (Shemoth / Exodus 12:1–13)
• The High Priest covered in garments of esteem (Shemoth / Exodus 28:2–4)
• The Tabernacle — covered in layers (Shemoth / Exodus 26:1–14)

Everywhere the fear of Elohim is present, covering follows.
And everywhere His fear is abandoned, exposure — and its consequences — come.

“Who can stand before His raging? And who withstand in the fierceness of His displeasure? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are pulled down by Him.” — Naḥum (Nahum) 1:6 

“Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Aḏam is coming.” — Mattithyahu (Matthew) 25:13 

“See, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is the one who is waking and guarding his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” — Ḥazon (Revelation) 16:15 

Garments. Covering. Shame. Judgment.

These are not just physical truths — these are spiritual realities.

A Reflection: When Reverence Grows Faint

As I gave thought to these patterns, my heart felt heavy.

We live in a generation that has grown comfortable with what once provoked trembling. We have become familiar, where we should have remained fearful — not of man, but of Elohim.

While reading the Prophets, especially Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) and Yeḥezqĕl (Ezekiel), I saw a reflection of our own time. Over and over again, they cried out to a stubborn people:

Turn back. Fear Elohim. Walk in His ways.

But Yisra’ĕl refused.

And because they would not return to reverence, their covering was removed.

“Now all these came upon them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” — Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians) 10:11 

This has caused me to examine myself more closely.

Not to accuse others.
Not to look outward first.
But to search inward.

What covers me? What exposes me?

Am I walking in reverence, or merely routine?
In surrender, or in self-will?
In fear of Elohim, or in quiet compromise?

The Only True Covering: יהושע (Yahushua)

There is only one true covering — and His Name is יהושע (Yahushua).

“I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim, for He has put on me garments of deliverance, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” — Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 61:10 

יהושע (Yahushua) is our covering.
Our atonement.
Our shelter.
Our righteousness.

Without Him — exposure.
Without Him — shame.
Without Him — judgment.

But in Him — forgiveness.
In Him — restoration.
In Him — protection.

“I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so that you become rich; and white garments, so that you become dressed, lest the shame of your nakedness be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you see. As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. Be ardent, therefore, and repent. See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I shall come in to him and shall dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I shall give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.” — Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:18-22

He does not merely cover sin — He removes it.
He does not merely conceal shame — He restores dignity.
He does not merely hide our flaws — He makes us new.

Closing: A Prayer for a Covered Heart

יהוה,
Teach us to see.
Anoint our eyes with truth.
Clothe us with garments that come only from You.

Give us hearts that quickly repent,
spirits that remain humble,
and ears that truly hear what Your Spirit is saying to the assemblies.

May we respond when You knock.
May we open the door without delay.
May we dine with You in obedience and love.

Do not allow us to walk uncovered.
Do not allow us to grow dull, or comfortable, or proud.

Make us a people who overcome.
A people who guard their garments.
A people who walk in reverence.

And when You walk in the garden again…
May we not run and hide.
May we stand before You —
clean, clothed, repentant, and fully covered.

-SS