The Fence of Finely, Twisted Linen

The Tabernacle was enclosed by a fence.

Why do people put up fences?

Keep other people (& animals out). Not everyone is welcome in God’s House. Anybody can’t just walk in.

Clear line of separation or distinction between the world and the holy presence of God.

(Isa 59:2 NIV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Sin forms a wall or fence which keeps people from God’s presence.

(Gen 3:24 NIV) After He (God) drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

When Adam and Eve sinned they were separated from God. The cherubim formed a fence keeping them from God’s presence.

The entrance is on the east side?

If cherubim were only placed on the east side, the east side must have been the only way into the Garden of Eden. In both the Garden of Eden and the Tabernacle of God, the only entrance was found on the east side.

(Num 3:38 NIV) Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites.

The Levites were worshipers and ministers. They were stationed at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

(Matt 2:1-2 NIV) After Yeshua was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Magi, or learned men, came from the east to worship God. The Levites came were stationed at the east where you had to enter the Tabernacle. Then Magi came from the east, and they came to worship God. We see a relationship between coming into God’s presence and worship.

Only 1 entrance

(John 10:1 NIV) "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber."

The sheep pen was a walled enclosure, with one entrance and holding several flocks. There were several flocks reminds me that there are Jews, and people from all different nations in God’s sheep pen. Anyone who tries to enter another way is a thief or robber. If you want to come in, you can only get in through the "one and only" entrance.

(John 10:9 NIV) "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture."

(John 14:6 NIV) Yeshua answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

(Acts 4:12 NIV) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

There is only 1 gate or entrance to God’s presence and to where you can get your needs met. And this is the person Yeshua.

Fine twisted Linen

(Exo 27:18 NIV) The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely twisted linen ....

The fence being finely twisted white linen means that God’s presence is white and worthy, expensive and valuable, and unsoiled and clean.

Linen is from the flax plant. Generally speaking the blue flowered variety produces fine, good quality fibre whereas the white-flower plant produces stronger but coarser fibre. LINEN, elegant, beautiful, durable, is a refined luxury fabric. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton.

Twisted linen - thicker: Why? 2, 3, or more threads twisted together.

(Eccl 4:12 NIV) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

We are stronger together!

The different websites talked about beating the flax plant with clubs, and boiling the thread in water.

Result - whiter and better suited for twisting and weaving.

How to remove stains website (Hold a tea pot)

If you have material stained with blood, meat juice, or coffee on it, run boiling water on, or through the material to remove the stains.

How to Soften Butter Quickly

Just put the stick of butter between two large pieces of wax paper. Using a rolling pin, press down on the butter. Roll it out they way you would roll out a pie crust.

(1 Cor 9:27 NIV) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

(Amplified) But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it,

I beat my body. Paul changes the metaphor: his opponent is now his own body. By self-discipline he gives it knockout blows.

(Rev 3:3-4 NIV) Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

who have not soiled their clothes. i.e., persons who had remained faithful to Messiah.

in white. In purity and righteousness.

If we want to walk with Messiah we must be pure and righteous, wearing clothes that are not soiled.

Soil verb - (1) make dirty. (2) bring discredit to.

noun - waste matter, especially sewage. So unsoiled is ...

(Rev 19:11-14 NIV) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

God’s armies are dressed in white linen and therefore are clean. You clean linen and make it a brighter white by running it through boiling water, and beating it.

Having a fence of fine, twisted white linen shows us that God’s presence is set apart as being pure, clean and unsoiled. If we want to enter God’s presence, we need to remember this.

In "Bible times" the roads were dry and dusty. Therefore it was difficult, and probably impossible, to keep yourself and your garments clean. It’s the same for us. It is humanly impossible to remain clean, pure and unsoiled. But God has provided a way. And the way into His presence only has one door to get in. Yeshua is the way, the truth and the life, the only way to the Father.

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