Evening, December 21
Go To Morning Reading
“I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee
with silk.”
Ezekiel 16:10
See with what matchless generosity the Lord provides for his people’s apparel. They are so arrayed that the divine skill is seen producing
an unrivalled broidered work , in which every attribute takes its part and every divine beauty
is revealed. No art like the art displayed in our salvation, no cunning
workmanship like that beheld in the righteousness of the saints. Justification
has engrossed learned pens in all ages of the church, and will be
the theme of admiration in eternity. God has indeed “curiously wrought it.” With all this elaboration there is mingled utility and durability,
comparable to our being shod with badgers’ skins . The animal here meant is unknown, but its skin covered the tabernacle,
and formed one of the finest and strongest leathers known. The righteousness
which is of God by faith endureth forever, and he who is shod with
this divine preparation will tread the desert safely, and may even
set his foot upon the lion and the adder. Purity and dignity of our
holy vesture are brought out in the fine linen . When the Lord sanctifies his people, they are clad as priests in
pure white; not the snow itself excels them; they are in the eyes
of men and angels fair to look upon, and even in the Lord’s eyes they are without spot. Meanwhile the royal apparel is delicate
and rich as silk . No expense is spared, no beauty withheld, no daintiness denied.
What, then? Is there no inference from this? Surely there is gratitude
to be felt and joy to be expressed. Come, my heart, refuse not thy
evening hallelujah! Tune thy pipes! Touch thy chords!
“Strangely, my soul, art thou arrayed
By the Great Sacred Three!
In sweetest harmony of praise
Let all thy powers agree.”