Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
God directed the builders of the temple to ask the priests concerning the law, using that inquiry as a parable to teach what service is acceptable to him. The holy flesh borne in the fold of the garment means the sacrificial offering, which was a representation of Christ. Christ was the foundation of the Jewish system of worship and is ever to be regarded as the One who makes possible the purification of man from sin. The priests' answers teach that holiness is not imparted by contact with holy things, while uncleanness is imparted by contact with what is unclean.
The image of a dead body represents a soul corrupted by sin. The ceremonial washings and sprinklings connected with the law taught the need for inward regeneration and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Religious services, association with godly people, and good works cannot cleanse a sinner who remains impenitent. A person becomes acceptable to God only when Christ's grace, received through faith and expressed in obedience to truth, cleanses the heart, and all who accept God's light and choose to obey are cleansed from sin's defilement.
God directed the builders of the temple to ask the priests concerning the law, using that inquiry as a parable to teach what service is acceptable to him. The holy flesh borne in the fold of the garment means the sacrificial offering, which was a representation of Christ. Christ was the foundation of the Jewish system of worship and is ever to be regarded as the One who makes possible the purification of man from sin. The priests' answers teach that holiness is not imparted by contact with holy things, while uncleanness is imparted by contact with what is unclean.
The image of a dead body represents a soul corrupted by sin. The ceremonial washings and sprinklings connected with the law taught the need for inward regeneration and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Religious services, association with godly people, and good works cannot cleanse a sinner who remains impenitent. A person becomes acceptable to God only when Christ's grace, received through faith and expressed in obedience to truth, cleanses the heart, and all who accept God's light and choose to obey are cleansed from sin's defilement.