YOU SHALL BE HOLY (Part 7 of 7)

I. What is Holiness?
II. Holiness is a Behavior Not a Covering
III. Teaching Holiness Through the Laws of Cleanliness
IV. The Consequences of Not Being Holy
V. The Challenge for the 21st Century Church
VI. You Are a Temple: The Call to Live as a Holy Person
VII. Do Not Wear Clothes of Wool and Linen Woven Together

DO NOT WEAR CLOTHES OF WOOL AND LINEN WOVEN TOGETHER

"Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. 10 Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. 11 Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together." (Deut 22:9-11) (Lev 19:19)

The principle of clean and unclean was given for the people of God to make a distinction between the things that are holy and the things that are common. A parallel to the cleanliness laws is demonstrated through the prohibition against wearing clothing of mixed fibers, planting different crops in the same field, or yoking different animals together. We might be able to reason that varying sizes and strengths make it impractical and potentially harmful to yoke an ox and a donkey together. One of these animals might be forced to carry a greater load, a load beyond its ability, causing injury to the animal.

We have a much greater difficulty understanding the concern about planting different crops in the same field or wearing a garment that is woven of both wool and linen together. (Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, although cotton is loosely referred to linen, but was not available to the Egyptians or Israelites.) The prohibition is not against wearing either linen or wool since both materials were worn by the people of Israel, (Lev 13:48). Nor is the provision against wearing a heavier wool coat over a linen undergarment. Nor is the provision against wearing mixtures of materials that are different from wool and linen such as wool and cotton. The commandment is specifically against wearing a garment containing a mixed material of linen and wool, but why?

Chances are that at any point in time most believers are wearing clothes that are a mixture of different materials. Manufacturers do this to achieve the desired properties of the garment they manufacture. People often avoid materials that are 100% cotton because they tend to shrink when washed. Materials that are 100% wool are warm, but they tend to itch. Materials that are 100% synthetic are sometimes too stiff or do not properly ventilate and tend to make a person sweat. So why does God instruct his people to not wear clothing that is made from the composite materials of line and wool?

In the commandments, the LORD provided beneficial ways of living while demonstrating His deeper spiritual truths. Paul used the prohibition against yoking a donkey and ox together, to tell believers, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers,” (2 Cor 6:14). The prohibition against mixing animals, seeds, and cloth are all part of the greater context of Leviticus chapter nineteen, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy,” (Lev 19:2). Although believers are called to live in the world, we must guard against mixing with the ways of the world. Just like clean and unclean, the prohibition against mixing wool and linen is given to teach us and remind us of a greater spiritual truth.

In scripture, linen is the clothing that priests were commanded to wear when serving in the temple.

“Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them dignity and honor. After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests,” (Ex 28:39-42).

For this reason, David and all the Levites were clothed in linen when they brought the ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem.

“Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod.” (1 Chron 15:27)

Linen is consistently seen in the Bible as the clothing of the heavenly beings. The angels in the Book of Revelations who come out of the temple bringing judgments are said to be clothed in “shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests,” (Rev 15:6). The armies of heaven that return with the LORD are said to be “riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean,” (Rev 19:14). Finally, the saints of the Most High, the bride of the Lamb, are made ready by wearing “fine linen, bright and clean…Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.” (Rev 19:7-8).

Linen comes to represent the purity of heavenly beings and the purity of the saints who are called to be Holy as God is Holy, (Lev 11:44). When God instructed people to not wear garments that are a mixture of linen and wool, He provided a physical picture to remind us that the purity of our walk must not be polluted with the unholy things of this world. Remember, “Bad company corrupts good character,” (1 Cor 15:33). Like most instructions from God, the commandment to not weave a garment mixing wool and linen has both a literal meaning and a spiritual application.

Too often many believers do weave the fabric of this world deeply into their lives. As Gentiles, we may not be obligated to avoid clothing that is composed of a mixed fabric or to avoid planting two types of crops in the same field, but we are called to “Be holy, because I am holy,” (1 Pet 1:16). When our lives become mixed with the world we take on the appearance of the church of Laodicea in the Book of Revelations. The LORD advised the people of Laodicea to buy “white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness,” (Rev 3:18). In effect, the LORD instructed the people of Laodicea to put on linen garments by performing righteous acts and living spotless lives free from mixing with the wool sins of the world.

Teresa and I had an interesting experience two weeks ago as we search for a new church home in Austin. We attended a church that has an auditorium, but no sanctuary. I do not mean to elevate the church building because it is sanctified by the people who attend who have studied the word, as it is written, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth,” (John 17:17). Yet in this church I saw an abundance of coffee cups, but few noticeable Bibles. Believers are called to be sanctified, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified,” (1 Thes 4:3).   Sanctification begins through the study of the word of God.  How important is sanctification?

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification (holiness) without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14).

 - Scott