I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. — Ezekiel 16:10
Consider the matchless generosity with which the Lord provides for His people's apparel. They are arrayed in this way so that the divine skill is seen producing an unrivaled "embroidered cloth," 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 skillful workmanship like that seen in the righteousness of the saints. Justification has engrossed learned pens in every age of the church and will be the theme of admiration in eternity. In all this splendor there is utility and durability, comparable to our being "shod . . . with fine leather." This skin covered the tabernacle and formed one of the finest and strongest leathers known.
The righteousness that is of God by faith endures forever, and he who is shod with this divine preparation will walk through the desert in safety. The purity and dignity of our holy vestments are brought out in "fine linen." When the Lord sanctifies His people, they are clothed as priests in pure white; the snow itself does not excel 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 grandeur denied. What, then? Can we infer nothing from this? Surely there is gratitude to be felt and joy to be expressed. Come, my heart, do not refuse your evening hallelujah! Tune your pipes! Touch your chords! Strangely, my soul, art thou arrayed By the Great Sacred Three! In sweetest harmony of praise Let all your powers agree.