Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
December 21– Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“I [the Lord] clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.”
—Ezekiel 16:10
Notice the matchless generosity with which the Lord provides for his people’s clothing. They are well-dressed. Divine skill produces an unrivalled, embroidered work in which every attribute takes its part and every divine beauty is revealed. There is no art like the art displayed in our salvation, no skilled workmanship like that beheld in the righteousness of the saints. The Lord’s action of declaring sinners righteous in his sight has engaged the pens of theologians in all ages of the church, and it will be the theme of admiration in eternity. God has, indeed, strangely made this happen.
The Lord’s clothing is elaborate yet simple; it is both useful and durable, like clothing made of animal skins. It is not clear which animals are in view in this passage, but their skins were used to decorate the tabernacle. These skins provided one of the finest and strongest leathers known. The righteousness of God which comes to us by faith endures forever, and the one who wears this divine clothing will travel through the desert safely— even if he happens to encounter a lion or step on a snake.
The purity and dignity of our holy garments are symbolized by fine linen. When the Lord sanctifies his people, they are dressed like priests in pure white. They are purer than freshly fallen snow. They are beautiful to look upon— both in the eyes of men and of heaven’s angels. Even the Lord, by his own declaration, sees them without spot or blemish.
And, lastly, God’s clothing is delicate and rich like silk. No expense is spared, no beauty withheld, no elegance denied. What can we infer from this? Surely our gratitude and joy should feel to us like silken clothing. Come, my heart; don’t refuse to render an evening hallelujah! Tune your instruments and pluck the strings of your heart to produce a song of praise to the One who has outfitted you with the finest of clothes. [M&E]
