The scripture we study today; Deuteronomy 22:12, is rather ironically placed right after the passage that says “do not mix linen with wool.”
The next words in that passage are: “Make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.” (Deuteronomy 22:12)
A HOLY REMINDER
The “tassels” spoken of here were typically known by those who had worshiped in the wilderness tabernacle. They were long strands of wool, most of them white; but one would be a royal blue color. The royal blue wool strand was to remind the priests serving in the tabernacle that they were a chosen priesthood and they were to be holy at all times.
Now we see the people of Israel waiting to cross over to the land of their heritage. They are ready to receive the gift of God to become a holy nation. It is by their example that all nations are now to be patterned. God gives the commandment for the common man to add tassels to the corners of his garment. This has always been an exception used only by the priests.
The common people did not mix wool with linen. The priesthood of the wilderness tabernacle had been the exception to this rule. They wore white linen garments and turbans but a wool vesture over them. This was what made the priests stand out from the other people as priests. Their clothes were different Anyone looking for a priest could easily find one in the crowd. He would LOOK different.
A TYPE OF IDENTITY
So God told the people who were not priest not to mix wool with linen in their clothing. This was so that no one mistook the wrong person for a priest. It assured that no ordinary man spoke out of turn for a man who was appointed to speak for God.
These priest of old had tassels sewn into the four corners of their garments. The one blue strand (made of wool) stood out from the other white strands in the tassels. It was the color of royalty. This strand was different. This was their reminder to always rise above and to be a holy example to the people who were watching their every move. God had called them out. Now they stood out from the crowd because of these articles of clothing that were different in nature than the common and ordinary people. They could mix wool with linen and be alright; the common man could not do this.
So years have past. 40 years to be exact; and the people are getting ready to go into their Promised Land. God is instructing them, He is giving them a new way to dress. God tells them to put tassels on the four corners of their garments; just as the priest of the wilderness tabernacle had done.
These were garments that mixed wool with linen!
Why would God ever tell the common people to do this; especially since He was calling them into a new place.
That was the reason for the change actually.
A NATION OF A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
They were going to a new place. The people of Israel were to be a new, holy, called specifically by God, nation. They were to live out the patterns that God wanted to become the way for ALL nations.
God had been teaching them in the wilderness for 40 years; now He was bringing those teachings to fruition.
Those common, ordinary people were to become a nation of royal priest who were designed to usher in God’s Kingdom on earth. The tiny little nation named Israel was to be the shinning light on the hill for all to see and follow.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE
Israel was carrying out the physical transition that God’s Church of today must carry out in a spiritual nature. Now that we are all followers of the Messiah Who came from this physical nation; we are to follow the path that we hear about in Col. 3:9-14:
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col. 3:5–14).
Like those old ancient Israelites; God is telling us to put on some new clothes. Walk in a way that makes it clear that we belong to Him and are carrying out His ways.
WEARING THE NEW CLOTHES
Why?
Because just like the ordinary people of Israel were being changed and called to a higher calling in the new land; we too are being changed and called to a higher calling, This calling is that of ushering in God’s Kingdom on earth. It requires walking in holiness and righteousness; but always remembering to love God and love our neighbor in the process.
Can we do it?
Only with the new clothes; the covering of The Blood of Jesus Christ over the doorposts of our hearts.
With these new clothes; we can turn the world upside down and inside out because we will be operating in God’s power and using His ways to achieve the hope of His Kingdom on earth.