December 21, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"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 · KJV

See with what matchless generosity the Lord provides for His people's clothing. They are so arrayed that the divine skill is seen producing an unrivaled embroidered work, in which every attribute takes its part and every divine beauty is revealed. No art is like the art displayed in our salvation, no cunning workmanship like that seen in the righteousness of the saints. Justification has occupied learned pens in every age 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 usefulness and durability, pictured by 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 endures for ever, and he who is shod with this divine preparation will tread the desert safely, and may even set his foot on the lion and the adder. The purity and dignity of our holy garment 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 your evening hallelujah! Tune your pipes, touch your chords! Strangely, my soul, are you arrayed by the great sacred Three; in sweetest harmony of praise, let all your powers agree.