Ezekiel 42:14 - Homiletics.

Holy garments.

The priests were to keep their holy garments in their holy chambers, wearing them in the sacred offices of the temple, and exchanging them for their common clothing before mixing with the people. This regulation was a necessary part of the Old Testament ceremonial, with its suggestions of separateness and external holiness. But it was susceptible of abuse, and some of the modern reproductions of it are certainly far from being commendable.

I. THE ANCIENT SIGNIFICANCE OF HOLY GARMENTS .

1. The necessity of holiness in all worship . God must be worshipped with clean hands and a pure heart—" in the beauty of holiness" ( Psalms 96:9 ). The old heathenish divorce of religion from morality could not be permitted under the Jewish economy. All that was most formal and external was intended to keep before the minds of the worshippers a clear perception of God's horror of sin, and a vivid presentation of his supreme love for righteousness.

2. The experience of holiness by individual men . Not only were the chambers in which the priests ate the sacrificial meals to be holy, but even the garments worn by the priests were also to be sacred. The sanctity attaches to the person. The very bodies of Christian people are temples of the Holy Ghost ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ).

3. The renewal of holiness in every act of worship . It is necessary to see that we are in a fit condition to approach God. It is not sufficient that we were once pardoned and cleansed. Unhappily, fresh defilement is repeatedly contracted. It is therefore necessary that renewed cleansing should be received. This was suggested by Christ's washing his disciples' feet ( John 13:4 10). By Christ we can be fitted for entering the presence of God.

II. THE COMMON ABUSE OF HOLY GARMENTS .

1. In distinction of persons . The priest in his robes appeared as a more holy man than the common worshipper in his every-day dress. This was inevitable under the old Jewish system, but it should not be permitted in the present day. Yet what is called "the cloth" is often supposed to carry a certain sanctity, and clerical attire is thought by the superstitious to mark a spiritual separateness. But no such separateness exists in the Christian Church, all the members of which constitute "an holy priesthood" ( 1 Peter 2:5 ).

2. By observing seasons . The priests wore their holy garments for a time, and then laid them aside and assumed their ordinary apparel. Some people put on their religion as they put on their Sunday clothes. They are saints at church, and sinners in the world; holy on Sunday, and profane on the weekdays. This is all delusive. No man can live two honest lives. Religion claims our whole being and time. For the true Christian all days are sacred to Christ's service.

3. With mere external profession . The holiness resides only in the garment; the religion is nothing better than a clothing—it is no inspiration. Such religion, like that of the Pharisees who cleansed the outside of the cup and platter, is hypocrisy.