Introduction:
In this study we are going to be looking at some very amazing symbolism in the outer garments worn by people in Bible times, and the tassels attached to them. I have been astounded by the depth of meaning that is to be found in this subject!
As many times happens, I sat down to start writing the study with only a few thoughts to share – thoughts I had gleaned from other people’s writings. But as I began to write, more and more depth of meaning and symbolism began to rush into my mind – ideas that I had never even thought of before! They came to my mind faster than I could write them down. The symbolic meaning of various stories I had never understood before suddenly flashed into my mind. I believe it is the fulfillment of the promise that as we share what we have with others, more will be given to us! So much of what is in this study is just as new to me as it may be to other people. I felt like I was exploring a gold mine, and every corner I turned I found more gold and gems. As I explored I saw more and more tunnels branching off in all directions with gold and precious jewels in them! It seemed like there was no end to it! So if you find wonderful spiritual gems here, don’t think it came from me; it’s as new to me as it is to you! I pray this study will be a great blessing to many!
In Bible times the people usually had a large rectangular cloth that they wore as an outer garment. If it was hot they could drape it over their head to protect them from the heat. If it was cold they could wrap it around them, or drape it around their neck like a scarf. At night it would serve as a blanket.
It was typically made out of pure white wool, so because it was wool it was warm at night, cool during the day, and would probably even keep them dry if it rained.
The edges of this garment were called the “wings”. Yehovah (Jehovah) instructed His people to make fringes or tassels on the edges of this garment. And there was to be a ribbon of blue in these fringes or tassels, to remind them that they were His Commandment keeping people – keeping His Torah. Blue is a symbol of the Torah (the Law of God), which we will talk about in a little bit.
Here is the command from Torah instructing the people to put fringes on the “wings” of this garment. (Please note that I have changed the wording in some verses in this study to better match it’s literal meaning in Hebrew.):
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them tassels in the wings of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the tassels of the wings a ribband of blue: and it shall be unto you for a tassel, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of Yehovah, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:” (Num 15:38-39)
“Thou shalt make thee tassels upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.” (Deut 22:12)
These tassels and the blue ribbon in them were to be a constant reminder to the Israelites that they were God’s chosen people. They were to be His commandment keeping people – keeping all the laws of His Covenant!
It is interesting to note that the Ten Commandments were probably made from beautiful blue “sapphire” stone. Many scholars believe the sapphire stone of the Bible to be what we now call Lapis Lazuli, a gorgeous blue stone with streaks of gold color through it.
How do we know it was made out of this stone? Here is the description of how Moses received the tables of stone with the Ten Commandments written on them. In these verses there is one word that we find in Hebrew that does not appear in our English Bibles – it is the word “the” in “the stone”. Notice how it reads when we add this word:
“Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. And Yehovah said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of THE stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” (Exod 24:9-12)
When Yehovah (Jehovah) told Moses we was going to give him tables of “the stone”, what stone was He referring to? There is only one stone mentioned in the context – the sapphire under the throne of God, blue like the “body of heaven in his clearness”.
So the Ten Commandments (also called the Tables of the Covenant) were likely made out of this blue sapphire (or lapis lazuli) stone which forms the foundation of God’s throne. Jewish tradition tells us the same thing – that the Tables of the Covenant were made out of blue sapphire stone.
So it makes perfect sense why Yehovah told His people to put a ribbon of blue in the tassels on the “wings” of their garment. It was to remind them that they were to be His commandment keeping people! It’s also interesting to note that the sapphire, which forms the foundation of Yehovah’s throne, is many times spoken of in connection with the blue color of the sky. So when we look up at the sky we can imagine that we are looking at the bottom side of the foundation of the throne of Yehovah, and it can remind us of the blue Ten Commandments each time we see it!
It is also interesting that in Hebrew, these tassels with the blue ribbon are literally called “blossoms”. A blossom is what produces fruit. The fruit that needs to be produced in our lives are the “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23) and the “fruits of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11). What is righteousness? It is keeping Yehovah’s laws! This is what the ribbon of blue was to remind the people of! It would literally remind them that they were “trees of righteousness” complete with “blossoms” producing “fruits of righteousness”!
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yehovah, that he might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)
Isn’t it interesting that this verse about “trees of righteousness” also mentions the “garments of praise”? Would that be the tallit, or prayer shawl, with the blue “blossoms” on it?
Before we go on I want to mention something else interesting regarding God’s law and the color blue. Have you ever heard of “blue laws”? They are laws that require people to observe Sunday as the Sabbath. How interesting that they should be called “blue laws”! They are the counterfeit for God’s blue law – which has the true Sabbath as it’s seal!
Why were they called “blue laws”? People used to speculate that they were originally written on blue paper – which is an interesting theory considering that God’s law was written on blue stone. More recently experts are saying that they were actually called blue laws because “…the word blue was used in the 17th century as a disparaging reference to rigid moral codes and those who observed them…” (Wikipedia, “Blue Law”)
Isn’t that interesting! All the way up until the 17th century the color blue was associated with rigid moral codes and those who observe them! Well, I’m not ashamed to be one of those blue people who observes Yehovah’s rigid moral codes! Would anybody want me to stop observing these rigid moral codes – “Thou shalt not steal”, “Thou shalt not kill”, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, etc.? I don’t mind be called “blue”!
Ok, so now that we have talked about the blue ribbon in the tassels, let’s go back to looking some more at the outer garment. Remember that the edges of this outer garment were called the “wings”. It’s the exact same word that is used for the wings of the birds. So in the Hebrew mind these were directly connected. The wings were a symbol of safety, protection, and comfort.
“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” (Exod 19:4)
“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so Yehovah alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” (Deut 32:11-12)
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” (Ps 17:8)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem….how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt 23:37)
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” (Ps 57:1)
“I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.” Selah. (Ps 61:4)
“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps 91:4)
So the outer garment that the Israelites wore would directly remind them of these verses! And the safety, protection, and comfort of Yehovah’s wings are found in following His Torah (His laws). If you have any doubt of this just go read Psalms 119 and the blessings written in the book of Deuteronomy! This was symbolized by the tassels attached to the wings of the outer garment.
This outer garment, with it’s wings and tassels, is still used by the Jews today – it is their prayer shawl, or tallit.
(Now, before I go on I just want to make a few things clear here. Just for the record, there is no command in Torah to wear a tallit (the triangular outer garment). My focus here is not on it being a requirement but instead my focus in on the symbolism in it. Now there is a command in Torah to place tassels on the edge of the garment with a blue ribbon, but it doesn’t specify that it has to be a tallit that they are attached to. So although the Torah does contain a command to wear tassels, it does not contain any command to wear a tallit. I just want to make that clear since I’m sure people will have questions on that.
And before I go on I also wanted to mention that I don’t place my tallit over my head when I am praying like the Jews do, because in Paul’s writings we are told that men are not supposed to have their heads covered when they pray or prophecy; only women are. So I wouldn’t see any reason why a woman couldn’t cover her head with a tallit if she wanted to when she is praying. But I don’t cover my head with it; I just drape it around my shoulders if I happen to be wearing it when I am praying. So I just wanted to make those things clear before I go on.)
Next I want to look at an interesting Jewish custom. In modern times it is frequently customary at a Jewish wedding for the young man you take the “wing” of his tallit and put it over his new bride, as a symbol of care, protection, and covering. It contains much of the same symbolism as we see spoken of in 1 Corinthians 11 and Ephesians 5 – regarding the husband’s headship and covering over his wife and family.
This custom of the young man covering his new bride with the wing of his tallit likely comes from a similar tradition in Bible times, which we see spoken of in Ruth and Ezekiel.
When Ruth began working in the fields of Boaz, he gave her this blessing:
“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Yehovah God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12)
This takes on deeper significance when we understand what took place later in the story. Following is what happened after the harvest was finished.
“And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy wing over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” (Ruth 3:7-9)
This “wing” was literally the edge of his tallit, which Boaz was probably using for his blanket. So Ruth was asking him to cover her with part of his blanket, as a symbol of bringing her under his care and protection. She was asking him to be her covering and head.
We see the same imagery portrayed in the parable of Ezekiel 16. We hear God speaking in the following verses:
“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my wing over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.” (Ezek 16:8)
The young woman in this parable is a symbol of God’s people. Symbolically speaking, He comes along and finds them without any covering. So He spreads his “wing” over them to bring them under his covering and protection. This is the same symbolism portrayed in the story of Ruth.
Ruth was a gentile. But she accepted the God of Israel; and she was taken into the fellowship of Israel. And in the same way that Boaz took her under his wing, so Jesus (Yeshua) has taken the gentiles who join His church under His wing as well. The church is His bride; He is her head and covering. He covers her with His “wing” just as Boaz covered Ruth with his wing, and from henceforth she abode in his house.
“I will abide in thy tabernacle (God’s house) for ever: I will trust in the covert (covering, protection) of thy wings. Selah.” (Ps 61:4, brackets added)
It seems like the head covering that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 11 is an extension of the tallit in some ways. It has much of the same symbolism. It is a symbol that the woman has on her head as a reminder of the wings of the tallit that have been spread over her – first of all Yeshua’s wings, as symbolized in the story of Ruth and also, if she is married, it symbolizes her husband’s wings, which he has spread over her as a representative of Yeshua – the wings of protection, care, and safety.
Now we are going to look at something very interesting. The wings of the tallit with the tassels attached to them were also a symbol of healing.
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Mal 4:2)
This verse takes on special significance when we compare it with the story in the New Testament of how the woman with the issue of blood was healed by Yeshua (Jesus).
“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the tassel of his garment:” (Matt 9:20)
Just like all the other Jews, Yeshua (Jesus) was probably wearing one of these rectangular outer garments with the tassels attached to it’s “wings”. The woman with the issue of blood likely was very familiar with that verse we just read about the Messiah arising with healing in His “wings”. So as the crowd was pressing around her she reached out and managed to touch one of the tassels (G2899) on the “wings” of Yeshua’s garment; and she was immediately healed, just like Malachi 4:2 had promised!
And she wasn’t the only one who received healing from Yeshua’s wings. Later on multitudes began to seek Him, asking to be allowed to touch the tassels on His garment! And they were made perfectly whole – not just partly whole – perfectly whole!
“And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the tassel of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” (Matt 14:34-36 – see G2899)
Now I want to direct our attention to another interesting prophecy in the Old Testament:
“Thus saith Yehovah of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the wing of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech 8:23)
Could this be another prophecy of the Messiah? This is symbolically what has happened. Many millions of Gentiles from all nations and languages have taken hold of Yeshua and said, “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!” Most of the believers who joined the early church were gentiles. And today most of the Christian world is composed of gentiles.
But there is another prophecy which applies to modern times that we must add to this as well.
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” (Isa 4:1)
In the Bible a woman represents a church. So here we see all the churches taking hold of Christ and saying, “We want to be called by your name – ‘Christians’ – but we will eat our own bread (doctrines) and wear our own garments (works of the flesh).”
Isn’t this exactly what is happening? The majority of Christian denominations today are calling themselves by Christ’s name, but they are not following His doctrines and they are refusing His garment of righteousness (righteousness = Torah observance).
Remember that the previous prophecy we looked at said, “…ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the wing of him that is a Jew…” But now the Churches want a Messiah who is not a Jew and does not wear a white garment with blue tassels attached to it, which indicate that He was a Torah keeper. They teach that their Messiah nailed the Torah to the cross. They have a lawless Messiah (2 Thess. 2:8) – symbolically speaking, a Messiah with no “wings” and no tassels.
But we must consider, what would have happened to the woman with the issue of blood if Yeshua had no “wings” on His garment and no tassels for her to reach out and touch? She would not have received healing from His wings! Remember that a woman symbolizes a church. What will happen to a Church who refuses to accept a Messiah with blue tassels on His “wings” – in other words, a Torah observant Messiah? There will be no healing – no sanctification!
Now, I want to show you something else interesting! When it speaks of Yeshua’s outer garment in the story of how the woman was healed, it uses the word “himation” (him-at’-ee-on – G2440).
This is the same word that is used in the following familiar verses:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (G2440); and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev 3:5)
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment (G2440), that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Rev 3:18)
It’s the same word! And remember that these rectangular outer garments (now called tallits) were many times made of pure white wool (Eccl. 9:8). Where does wool come from? From the fleece of a sheep or lamb.
Where does this white raiment in the above verses come from? It comes from the “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” – the “Lamb as it had been slain” (John 1:29; Rev. 5:6)! “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us…” (1 Cor. 5:7) This is a garment made from Yeshua’s very own fleece!
This pure white outer garment which Yeshua wore, with the tassels on it’s four corners, brought healing to the woman with the issue of blood. We too are sick with an incurable disease – the disease of sin. We have an issue of blood so to speak – our lifeblood is flowing out of us and we are about to die.
But Yeshua’s tallit brings us hope! It can bring us healing from this incurable disease! Yeshua wants to take this pure white garment, made from His own fleece, and put it around our shoulders – He wants to cover us with His wings!
Yeshua’s tallit symbolizes how He perfectly kept the Torah here on earth. He took His own fleece and wove this garment for us by living a pure and perfect life here on earth!
Now we can joyfully wear this covering that He has provided for us! It will bring us complete healing from our issue of blood!
And what must we do to experience this healing? We must, symbolically speaking, by faith take hold of the tassels of Yeshua’s pure white garment, just like the woman in the story did. Remember that these tassels, with their blue ribbon, symbolized keeping the Torah (God’s law). Yeshua perfectly kept His Father’s law. And by faith we can take hold of His merits and keep God’s law just like He did! We can pray and ask Him to cover us with His garment of righteousness and make us righteous too. We can pray for strength and help to always live pure and holy lives.
Here is a beautiful quote about this:
“She had sought help from the physicians, but her disease grew worse and worse. She heard of Christ, and her faith went out to Him. She believed that if she could only touch the hem of His garment she would be made whole. Christ understood the longing of her heart; He understands the desire of every heart that is drawn out after Him, and He responds to it. This poor woman who yearned after help improved her first opportunity to come into the presence of Jesus. The multitude were all about Him, but she pressed through the crowd, until she could touch His garment, and that moment she was healed. Christ realized that virtue had gone out of Him. The woman had felt her desperate need, and her faith had made her whole. So it will be with every one of you who go in your need to Jesus and lay hold upon Him by living faith.” {DG 63.4}
“He gave no opportunity for superstition to claim healing virtue for the mere act of touching His garments. It was not through the outward contact with Him, but through the faith which took hold on His divine power, that the cure was wrought.” {DA 344.3}
I want to look at another story that illustrates this as well – the story of blind Bartimaeus. When he heard that Yeshua was coming by the place where he sat he cried out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:47). The people tried to make him be quiet, but he just cried all the louder. Yeshua called for him to come to him. And the Bible says:
“And he, casting away his garment (G2440), rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:50-52)
Notice that the word used for his garment here is the same word that we have been looking at. It was probably this rectangular outer garment, which was commonly worn by the people in Bible times. This garment Bartimaeus was wearing was probably very old, worn, and tattered, and so when he went to meet Yeshua he just threw it off and left it behind.
Now let’s look at some parallels. The name “Bartimaeus” mean “son of one who is defiled or unclean”. Isn’t that a fitting description of all of us? We have inherited a bent towards sin – we are the children of the unclean. This man was poor (a beggar), and blind, and probably essentially naked, considering the condition his outer garment was likely in. Does that remind you of anything – “poor, blind, and naked”? Yes, it’s the condition of Laodicea! The difference is that blind Bartimaeus knew how wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, he was, but the Laodiceans do not.
So what did Bartimaeus do? He cried out for help! And then he threw off his old, tattered, garment, and came running to Yeshua for healing from his blindness!
This is what we must do! The old, stained, tattered, garment represents our own works – the works of self righteousness, and the works of the flesh. We must see the true condition of this filthy garment and discard it before we can come to Yeshua. Then we must cry out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” And our cry will be answered with, “Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.”
(The story doesn’t say this, but just knowing the meaning behind it, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Yeshua took off his own tallit (his outer garment), made out of pure white wool, together with the blue tassel on it’s “wings”, and put it around Bartimaeus after he had been healed so he would have a new garment to wear!).
Now I want to look at another story.
You may remember that in the story where the mob came to arrest Yeshua before his Crucifixion, there was a young man who was following Yeshua who had a linen garment wrapped around his “naked” body. When some of the mob tried to grab him he left his garment and fled from them naked.
(Please note that linen was another cloth that tallits were commonly made out of. Also note that in the Bible times someone was considered “naked” if they were not fully clothed. So this young man may have had some clothes on, but was not fully clothed as would be considered proper to be seen in public.)
Have you ever wondered why this little detail is included in the story? Every word in the Bible is there for a purpose. So what’s significant about this detail in the story?
Remember that Yeshua had told His followers to watch and pray so that they would not enter into temptation – they were to “gird up the loins” of their minds (1Pet 1:13). Spiritually speaking they were to keep themselves fully clothed and prepared for action.
But what did they do? They fell asleep! And this young man in particular apparently not only disregarded Yeshua’s instructions to stay awake, but he went so far as to undress himself and wrap up in his outer garment (which doubled as his blanket) for the night! He was PLANNING to sleep!
And what happened to him? Well, he probably woke up at the sound of the mob approaching. He got up and when to see what was happening – with only his blanket/outer garment wrapped around him. And some of the mob tried to grab him, so he left his outer garment in their hands and fled naked.
What would have happened if he had watched and prayed? Well, first of all, he would not have been naked! And he probably would not have lost his outer garment either.
What will happen to us if we disregard Yeshua’s instruction to watch and pray? We have been given the same instructions they were. But many people are wrapping themselves up in their blankets of carnal security and bedding down for the night in this old world – they are surrounding themselves with the comfort and security of this life – houses, lands, money, their own works of self righteousness (combined with the works of the flesh), etc.
They are expecting a nice, long, slumber through a night of peace and safety. Their lamps have gone out, just like the sleeping virgins. But then sudden destruction will come upon them and their fig-leaf garments of self-righteousness will be stripped from them, and they will flee naked, just like this young man did!
Let’s not let his story be our story! Let’s make sure we heed Yeshua’s instructions to watch (stay awake and alert) and pray, so that we do not enter into temptation! Let’s make sure our lamp stay lit and that we have obtained enough oil (the Holy Spirit) to last through the night! And most of all, let’s make sure we have Yeshua’s pure white Robe of Righteousness covering us so we will not be naked!
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Rev 16:15)
Now let’s look at another story – the story of Gideon. Gideon asked for two signs from God. First he placed a fleece of wool on the ground (remember that this is what the tallits were many times made out of) and he asked that the dew would fall on the fleece only, and the ground around it would be dry. The dew and rain are symbol of the Holy Spirit, as well as the light and truth that is brought to us by the Holy Spirit.
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.” (Isa 44:3-4)
“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:” (Deut 32:2)
“I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” (Hos 14:5)
So the first sign Gideon asked for was that the dew would only be on the wool. The second sign he asked for was that the dew would fall all around on the ground, but the fleece would be dry. This second sign reminds me of the following quote:
“But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” {TM 507.1}
This is exactly what happened with Gideon’s second fleece! So in these two signs we have the two classes of people represented by the wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgins had oil – like the fleece on which the dew fell. But the foolish virgins had no oil – like the fleece which did not receive any dew, even though the dew was falling all around it!
It’s up to us to decide which fleece we’re going to be and which group of virgins we’re going to be a part of. It is what we are doing in our lives right now that will determine which group we will be part of! If we are praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and letting Yehovah cleanse our lives so we are clean and upright vessels – so that our garment are “without spot or wrinkle”, then we will be prepared to receive it!
“This is our washing and ironing time–the time when we are to cleanse our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. John says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). . . . Shall we not let our sins go? . . .” {HP 356.4}
“We need not worry about the latter rain. All we have to do is to keep the vessel clean and right side up and prepared for the reception of the heavenly rain, and keep praying, “Let the latter rain come into my vessel. Let the light of the glorious angel which unites with the third angel shine upon me; give me a part in the work; let me sound the proclamation; let me be a colaborer with Jesus Christ.” Thus seeking God, let me tell you, He is fitting you up all the time, giving you His grace.–UL 283 (1891).” {LDE 194.1}
Now I want to look at another story regarding the tallit, or outer garment – the story of Elisha and Elijah (1 Kings 19:19). When Elijah was told to appoint Elisha to be the next prophet of Israel, he went out to find him. Elisha was in the field plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Apparently there were eleven servants working with him, each driving a yoke of oxen, and he had the twelfth yoke. His father must have been very well to do because that is a lot of oxen! You can imagine a farmer that is wealthy enough to own a dozen tractors!
So Elisha had apparently grown up in a family that was fairly wealthy, and he probably was in line to inherit all that wealth. But even though he was well to do, Elisha had not been corrupted by wealth. He knew how to work hard in the field, and he was apparently well capable to directing all the other eleven servants who were working with him. So he had learned to be a hard worker and a good leader.
As Elijah walked past Elisha in the field he cast his mantle upon him. To us in modern times this seems like a strange thing to do. But because Elisha understood the meaning of the tallit very well, so he knew right away what it meant. In Bible times the outer garment could symbolize a person’s office or station in life. Elijah’s mantle would have been a symbol of his office as a prophet.
When Elijah cast his outer garment over Elisha’s shoulders it was very obvious to him what it meant. So he immediately accepted the call and ran after Elijah. Elijah tried to send him back, but he refused to go. Instead he went back and set the yoke on fire, slaughtered his pair of oxen, and cooked the meat to give to the people who were there. Talk about “burning your bridges”!! He was obviously never planning to come back to his secular occupation again. He made that very clear!
So for a number of years Elisha accompanied Elijah in his travels. Finally the day came when Elijah was to be taken to Heaven in a fiery chariot. Elijah told Elisha to stay at Gilgal, but Elisha refused to leave his master’s side. Next Elijah tried to leave him at Bethel. But again Elisha refused to stay there. “And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that Yehovah will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.” (2Kgs 2:3)
Remember how the wings of the tallit have much of the same meaning as the covering Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 11 – how the husband is to be the protector and head of his wife, and the wife is to be subject to her husband “in the Lord”. The tallit that Elijah threw over Elisha’s shoulders probably had much of this same meaning as well. Elijah was to become the head of Elisha, and Elisha would be in subjection to his master – which is why the sons of the prophets described their relation in that way. But the day had now come when they must be parted.
Again Elijah tried to leave Elisha, this time at Bethel, and then at Jericho, but he refused to be left behind.
“By plowing in the field, Elisha had learned the lesson of not allowing failure or discouragement to be entertained. He had now set his hand to the plow in another line of work, and he would not fail nor be discouraged. Every time the invitation to turn back was given, he declared, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” Letter 12, 1897.” {CTr 168.7}
Finally they arrived at the brink of the Jordan river, near Jericho. This is the river that divided the two and a half tribes on the east from the rest of Israel on the west. When the Hebrews were entering the Promised Land, the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, asked to stay behind, on the east side of the Jordan river. Their physical separation from Israel and their close proximity to the surrounding heathen nations eventually led to their downfall into idolatry and eventually they were carried away captive.
So it’s important to remember that this river was the dividing line between those who chose to enter the Promised Land and those who chose to stay without. This will be very significant later on in the story of Elijah.
Next I want to look at the meaning behind the name “Jericho”. It comes from the same root word as the Holy Spirit, and is related to the word for “moon” (think of the woman in Rev. 12:1). This is going to become very significant later on! And at Jericho there was a spring of water that was once cursed because of it’s wickedness (Josh. 6:17) and brought forth waters of death, but later was healed by Elisha using a “new cruse”, and salt (2 Kings 2:19) and after it’s healing brought forth waters of life. This is symbolic of how we were once in sin and wickedness and poured forth waters of death, but when we are converted and become new vessels, filled with salt, we can pour forth living water, the Holy Spirit, to the world – (John 4:14; 7:38). This symbolism regarding Jericho is going to become very important later on, because this is where Elijah parted the Jordan river with his mantle!
Now, I find it interesting that Elijah used his mantle to part the waters of the Jordan just like Moses used his rod to part the waters of the Red Sea. Remember that the mantle (or tallit, as it is called now) was a symbol of the owners position in life. Elijah’s mantle symbolized his position as a prophet of Yehovah. And it is interesting that the rod of Moses also had the same meaning – it symbolized his divinely ordained position as leader of Israel.
Later, at the showdown with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the rods of the twleve leaders of Israel were placed in the Sanctuary to determine which tribe had been divinely ordained by Yehovah to minister in the Sanctuary. Aaron’s rod was the only one that budded and blossomed (just like the tallit has “blossoms” at it’s four corners), thus confirming that he had been given the position of High Priest in Israel. So the rods had some of the same meaning as the tallits, and also as the headcoverings in Paul’s writings.
So Elijah used his mantle to separate the waters of the Jordan river and they passed over. Remember that waters represent “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15). The name “Jordan” means “descending” which is very symbolic of how all the “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” of this world are descending deeper and deeper into moral corruption.
The Jordan river ends at the Dead Sea, which is exactly where this world is headed – to death. The other end of the Dead Sea is where Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by “everlasting fire”, which represents what will happen to the class of waters (people) who continue onward and enter the Dead Sea. But the prophet Elijah stood near Jericho (where the living water, the Holy Spirit, was pouring forth) and used his tallit – which represents the Torah and it’s righteousness – to separate the waters into two classes. One class of waters turned around and flowed away from the Dead Sea, but the other class of waters continued to flow onward to death. Isn’t this exactly what the Elijah message is going to do just “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Yehovah”?
“Remember ye the law (Torah) of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. (Mal 4:4)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Yehovah: (Mal 4:5)
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse [the seven last plagues and the same everlasting fire which destroyed Sodom?].” (Mal 4:6)
The Elijah message about the binding claims of God’s law, with it’s statutes and judgments, is going to turn the hearts of the children back to their Hebrew fathers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “Hebrew” means “one who is passing through a land to gain access to the side beyond” – “a better country, that is, an heavenly.”-Heb. 11:16. We want to be among those who pass over into the Heavenly Cannan, and not those who stay behind on the other side of the Jordan! This is the decision every person will have to make – either go forward across the river or stay behind. The entire world will be divided into two classes of people.
Yehovah’s appointed days of worship will be the main point in this end-time controversy. The Sabbath especially, the seal of God’s blue law, will be the dividing line between these two classes of people – those who serve Yehovah and those who serve Him not – just like the Jordan river was the dividing line between those who went in to Cannan and those who did not.
And in the same way that Elijah used his white wool mantle, with it’s blue tassels, symbolizing the blue law of God and it’s pure white righteousness, to part the two classes of waters, so the Elijah message about the law of Yehovah, with it’s statutes and judgments, will part the two classes of people at the end of time. Isn’t it amazing how this all fits together so perfectly!
Now we are going to read about Elisha’s last request of Elijah. This is the request that we all need to make as well, as we prepare to give the Elijah message to the world!
“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; (2Kgs 2:9-13)
So Elisha tore his own clothes in two, which probably symbolized that his old position in life was gone forever – he was no longer a farmer; he was probably no longer a rich man either. He had already “burned his bridges” when he killed his oxen and burned the yoke. Now he symbolized his new life by tearing his old garment in two. He had accepted the call when Elijah had thrown his mantle over Elisha’s shoulders. Now that mantles was to be his own. It symbolized his new station in life as the prophet of the Most High!
“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is Yehovah God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” (2Kgs 2:14-15)
This call that came to Elisha may come to each of us some day as well. We may be called like William Miller:
“As Elisha was called from following his oxen in the field, to receive the mantle of consecration to the prophetic office, so was William Miller called to leave his plow and open to the people the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” {GC 331.1}
“We are nearing the close of this earth’s history. We have before us a great work,–the closing work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. There are men who will be taken from the plow, from the vineyard, from various other branches of work, and sent forth by the Lord to give this message to the world.–Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 270.” {ChS 78.3}
If the mantle of consecration to proclaim the Malachi 4:4 Elijah message falls upon your shoulders, will you be ready to go? Will you be ready to sacrifice your hopes and dreams for the future? Will you be ready to give up a good career in order to enter the Gospel work? Are you willing to leave your family and friends if necessary? Will you be willing to be like Elisha who “followed Elijah without complaint, leaving a wealthy home where he was beloved, to attend the prophet in his uncertain life.” {CTr 169.2}
God will give you a choice. He doesn’t force anyone into the Gospel work. Elisha was given plenty of opportunity to turn back. Elijah even told him, “Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” But Elisha would not be turned back! When the mantle of consecration fell upon his shoulders he immediately left everything and followed the call.
As we are about at the end of this study I want us to think about some more serious questions. The first question is – “Am I wearing the wedding garment that the King has provided?”
“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:11-14)
I’m sure this man in the parable had clothes on – his own clothes. But his own clothes were not good enough. He needed to be wearing the garments provided for him by the King – the garments of Yeshua’s righteousness. Our own works will never get us into Heaven. We must let Yeshua do His works through us, and live out His pure life through us. This is the only kind of garment that is acceptable.
Another question we need to ask ourselves is – “What condition is my raiment in? Am I taking advantage of the ‘washing and ironing time’ to make sure it does not have spot or wrinkle? Is it clean and white, or is it “stained by the flesh” (Jude 1:23 ESV)? Could it be that it even has blood on it?”
“Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.” (Jer 2:34)
Is it possible that we could have blood on our garments? Here is a very solemn dream recorded in the book, “Christian Experience and Teachings”:
“Presently an angel bade me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. Before me was a company whose hair and garments were torn, and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me, and rubbed their garments upon mine. As I looked at my garments, I saw that they were stained with blood. Again I fell like one dead, at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse, and longed to be away from that holy place.
“The angel raised me to my feet, and said: “This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life, and shall drink of the river of the water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient.
“I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do, that I might have His approbation, and not feel His dreadful frown.” {CET 79-80}
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezek 3:17-19)
Each one of us is a watchman. We have been given the warning message that the world needs. We have the message that will save them. We need to share it with them in a practical way that can reach their daily lives. The health message is a great way to do this.
If we don’t share the warning with them and try to show them the way of life, we will be guilty of their blood. I don’t want this to happen to me….or to them. I want to be able to say like Paul, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26-27)
I want to be like one of those in Sardis: “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” (Rev 3:4)
And here is a promise that we can claim for the cleansing of our garment:
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of Yehovah hath spoken it.” (Isa 1:16-20)
If we find that we are going through great tribulation in life we should not be surprised. This may be part of the washing and ironing time:
“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Rev 7:14-17)
I really want to be one of those who serves God day and night in His Temple, and follows the Lamb withersoever He goeth. This is my prayer:
“One thing have I desired of Yehovah, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of Yehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yehovah, and to enquire in his temple.” (Ps 27:4)
I want to make sure my tallit is completely “washed” and “ironed” in preparation for the wedding supper of the Lamb! What about you?