When we read the scriptures it does not matter what area we drop in at any given time we shall find ourselves at the foot of the cross. Becoming a part of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. This is the center of God’s plan of salvation, all roads lead to it. Scattered around the cross we see many little dramatic scenes being acted out. One we cannot fail to miss are the soldiers dressed in their regal uniforms having fulfilled their duties at this time, now pass the time away by dividing the spoil of the prisoners. An incident that had been acted out many times in the justice of the Roman law. This scene was a little different, they had never crucified a King before, nor had it been prophesied of others that had been nailed to the cross that they would die in a certain manner and a small matter concerning the clothes left behind by the condemned. It had been recorded of Jesus of Nazareth whom they had nailed to the cross that . . . “they part my garments among them, and cast lots for my venture.” (Psalms 22:18) Observing a little closer we see these four men having noticed that the robe was seamless they decided to cast lots to see who would possess it. Unbeknown to them they were weaving a little more into the wonderful tapestry of God’s divine plan.
This robe that Christ had worn had belonged in God’s wardrobe. From a babe his heavenly Father had wrapped him in swaddling clothes, clothed him through his ministry and kept in store for him the robes of a King that would sit on David’s throne. “Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:30)
Such an observation ignites a chain reaction of thoughts that tells us that the Creator, the great designer of all things, has a whole wardrobe of raiment’s. Some he has already given to mankind while others of greater price are kept in store for those who are worthy to wear them. The most precious of these being the wedding garment given to those who are honored to sit at the marriage feast of the “King of Kings.”
Let us then slide back the doors of scripture and be permitted to take out one by one garments designed by God that he has given us to wear.
Everything has its beginning in Genesis. There we read that God created all things aright and now he wanted to share its wonders with man and woman. To have fellowship with them. “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) We get a glimpse of what the angels looked like for we are told that we were made in their likeness Made like them in appearance but in nature inferior. Man at that time was clothed in pure innocency and love for the One who had made them.
David said, “Thy hands hath made me and fashioned me.” They had been given an insight into God’s wardrobe and there they saw the beautiful garment of whiteness that the angels wore, they too would wear it if they continued in their first love. It is only natural then that the desire to be so dressed became foremost in their minds. With this thought in mind the serpent approached Eve and told her “Your eyes will be opened, and ye shall be gods, knowing good and evil”. The serpent promised them such garments if they followed after his suggestions. Taking of the fruit of the tree that did not belong to them it is true that their garments were changed, but the change was not to their expectation. So it is recorded in (Genesis 3:7) “Eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked: and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” Willingly they had discarded the robe of innocency and love and put on the attire of shame and disobedience. Here we have the manufacturing of man’s first clothing. A coat made out of fig leaves in a vain attempt to cover their sin. Nakedness is the symbol of sin in the scriptures. (Revelation 16:15) Sin was an act against God so it was only he who could provide such a covering. In his compassion he did just that. “Lord God made a coat of skins and clothed them.” Genesis 3:20, 21. A life was given that they might have life, establishing the divine principle that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Hebrews 9:22. Adam and Eve were now of sinful nature and God had made provision so they might be purged from their sins. The angelic garments would be kept in storage, for a while, in the meantime they would have to wear the clothes of a laborer. To live and work out their own salvation.
“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground: for out of it was thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shall thou return.” Driven from the environment of the garden of Eden they had to contend with the “thorns and thistles.”
Clothing made out of animal skins remained the costume of the common people for a long time. Wool was then used from camel hair. The style was likened to a robe with a hood on it. The poor people used it to cover themselves at night. Later on styles changed and with it the type of material used. Linen and silk became favorite materials. Those of wealth were able to dress themselves in this type of cloth.
Whilst Adam and Eve were driven from the confines of the Garden, God did not want to drive them from his presence altogether, rather the opposite. Through the medium of prayer men and woman were permitted to given attendance before his throne of grace. Possibly Adam acted as priest for his family and certain times were set aside to offer up sacrifice and thanksgiving. Genesis 4:3 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.”
With the passing of time God saw that man remained in his wickedness, not being attracted to God’s fashions, so he chose a family unto himself that would give him pleasure and be one to set the style of those who walk in the way of godliness.
With the passing of time this family, whose father was Abraham found themselves residing within the confines of the great empire of Egypt. Remaining there for four hundred years their population grew into a great number. Because of their numbers they became a threat to those who rule the land so they were suppressed by being made slaves. But it was not in God’s purpose that they would always wear the clothes of a bondsmen, but those of liberty and freedom. There came a time that God sent a Saviour to them in the man Moses, and under his leadership they were taken out of that land and their feet were set on the path that would lead to the land promised to them. God instructed them how they should dress, for now they would be pilgrims, strangers on the earth, until they entered the land reserved for them. Exodus 12:11—”And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste —in such an hour as ye think not” so one must be prepared to leave at a given moment. Not lingering with doubtful mind as Lot and his wife who finally had to be persuaded by the hand of an angel “and while he lingered, the men (angels) laid hold upon his hands” (Genesis 19:16) Through the wilderness Israel travelled and it was this experience that God expected they would show their desire to b of his kingdom. To be a separate nation unto him. During this journey God favored them with signs of immortality. The opportunity to try the clothes of im mortality out and see if they would like to wear them.
“I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians, for I the Lord healeth thee.’ (Exodus 15:26, 27) “Your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe i not waxen old upon your foot” (Deuteronomy 29:5, 6) (Psalms 105:37).
It was in the wilderness that God told the people, that he would take the tribe of Levites instead of the first born an they would become the ones to grace the throne on high interceding on behalf of the people. “Take the Levites instead o the first born.” (Numbers 3:45). Such an honour would demand that they were attired aright to stand upon holy ground. Could man of himself do this, no, it had to be done by God. So we read in Exodus 28:1, 2 instructions were given that holy garments should be made for the man chosen, Aaron. This whole chapter deals in detail with the design of the clothes he should put on. Different ones for different occasions. In Leviticus 8:7, 8 we are told that there had to be a correct order for the putting on of the garments.
Before he could put on his raiment—he had to wash himself — (John 15:3 You have been made clean by the Word) Exodus 29:4 “and shalt wash them with water” Heb. 10:22 — “having our bodies washed with pure water.” So we are called on to “wash ourselves daily with pure water” this can be done by standing under the shower of the living word by our daily readings. Allowing the word to be a detergent that will remove the dust of mortality, changing our fashion that the world will see us with a contrite heart — Isaiah 66:2. The Law of Moses given to Israel did not allow them to wear clothes manufactured from a mixture of wool and linen. (Deuteronomy 22:11) Possibly such a law symbolically expressed the idea of separateness and implicity that should have characterized the ancient people of God. Amos 2:8 The people of God had taken the clothes f righteousness God had given them and become adulterous in the house of other gods—Exodus 22:25. To dress different would bring disgrace to the presence of sod, showing forth disobedience causing :he wrath of God to fall on the guilty party. Such was the case with the Pharisees. They sat in Moses seat, but they :hanged the garments handed down to :hem. They thought their fashion was more appealing to the people. How they Loved to parade in the market place showing off their robes. “Making broad their phylacteries, enlarging the borders,” of :heir garments. (Matthew 23:5).
The priests were forerunners of a great-:r priest who would stand in Aaron’s place. A priest ordained of God after the order of Melchizedek.
“Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:17) Reference is being made here to the Son of God appointed to wear the robes of Saviour, Priest and King. So it is prophesied in Zechariah 3:1-5. That Joshua who was a type of Jesus Christ would wear first of all filthy garments and then be given a change of raiment.
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angels” He was not ashamed to wear such apparel for he knew that he was doing his father’s will by carrying the iniquity of us all. “He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed”—(Isaiah 53:5).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One