Swaddling Cloth
Here are some questions about the swaddling cloth. To find the answers we
have to go back to the book of Sh’mot (Exodus) where Moses was given the instructions
on the garments of the Levites and the Priesthood (those who were descendants of
Aharon – Aaron). The linen was of fine, tightly woven fabric and was white, which
means purity.
What exactly is swaddling cloth?
Refer to Sh’mot (Exodus) 28:39 – 43; 39:27 – 29; V’yikra (Leviticus) 16:4. In these
verses we see the required clothing for the Levites and the Priesthood; they were to
wear linen garments on their bodies when serving in the Tabernacle/Temple. When
these garments became flawed through use, they were torn into strips and used as
wicks for the Menorah. Now remember, while the Children of Israel were in the
wilderness, their sandals nor clothes wore out, it wasn’t until they entered the land of
Israel did their clothes start wearing out.
Where did the linen come from?
This takes us back even further in the Scriptures to B’reisheet (Genesis) 41:42; it is
here where we find the fine linen which was placed on Yosef (Joseph). Linen was a
fabric of the rich and royalty. Think of the sheets and towels we have this day
Egyptian cotton. When the Hebrew children left Egypt Sh’mot (Exodus) 12:33 – 36, the
Egyptians were so pressed to send the Hebrews out, gave them whatever they desired,
so…. HaShem (The Name) had directed Moshe’ (Moses) to tell the Hebrews what to ask
for upon leaving Egypt. This is how they had all the supplies needed for the building of
the Tabernacle as well as the cloth needed to make the garments for the Levites and the
Priesthood.
What was really the first gift given to our Messiah?
It is my opinion it was swaddling cloth given to Miryam (Mary) by her cousin
Elizabeth, refer to Luke 1:5, this tells of Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth being
descendants of Aharon (Aaron). Verse 8 tells of Zachariah fulfilling his duties as cohen
(priest). Since only the priesthood and levites had the linen garments, it would make
sense that Elizabeth had linen garments of Zachariah which could not be used as
garments anymore. When Miryam went to see her cousin, I believe Elizabeth gave her
the swaddling cloth which to wrap Yeshua (Salvation – Jesus) our Messiah in after he
was born.
What does all this have to do with Yeshua (Jesus)?
When Yeshua was born, He was born in Beit Lechem (Bethlehem) which means
“House of Bread” in the area of Migdal-Eder, which was the sheep fold for the Temple
sheep. These sheep were the ones which were cared for by the Levites who could not
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serve in the Temple due to a physical abnormality but who were required by the
Written Word to serve the Priests of the Temple. These sheep were the ones where the
Pasach (Passover) Lamb was selected from the fold. Also to set the time of His birth
correctly, the census was done at a time of the last pilgrimage feast of the year, Sukkot
(the Feast of Tabernacles) which according to the Gregorian calendar would be
sometime in the late fall. The winter season in Israel was and is a bad time to travel due
to the rainy season as well as it being cold. Thus the sheep would not be out in the
fields, they would be in the protective and secure area during the winter season. Okay,
here is how it all fits together,
1. Beit Lechem – House of Bread – Yeshua said in Yochanan (John) 6:33 “for G-d’s
bread is the One who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” In
6:48 – 51, “I AM the living bread which is life. Your fathers ate the manna in the
desert; they died. But the Bread that comes down from heaven is such that a
person may eat and not die. I AM the Living Bread that has come down from
heaven; if anyone eats this Bread, he will live forever. Furthermore, the bread I
give you is My own flesh; and I will give it for the life of the world.”
2. Migdal-Eder (B’reisheet [Genesis] 35:21) – the Temple sheepfold – Yeshua was
born in one of the lambing caves in Migdal-Eder because there was no room in
the inn. Refer to Yochanan (John) 1:29, “The next day, Yochanan saw Yeshua
coming toward him and said, ‘Look! G-d’s Lamb! The One who is taking away
the sin of the world!’”
3. The swaddling cloth – the linen used by the priests as garments – Yeshua was
wrapped in the swaddling cloth. Remember how the swaddling cloth was used
once it was no longer used as garments? It was used as wicks for the Menorah in
the Tabernacle/Temple, the Menorah was to be filled with fresh pressed virgin
olive oil each day and the wicks were replaced as well. Refer to Yochanan (John)
8:12, “Yeshua spoke to them again: ‘I AM the light of the world; whoever follows
Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.’” Refer
also to Yochanan (John) 1:4 – 5, “In Him was life, and the Life was the Light of
mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed
it.”
4. Birth at Sukkot – during Sukkot, the Children of Israel remembered how they
dwelt in temporary tabernacles/tents. Yeshua came and lived among us, refer to
Yochanan 1:14. Yeshua lived among us for a short time, but we have the blessed
hope of living eternally with Him, refer to Z’kharyah (Zechariah) 2:10, “Sing,
daughter of Zion; rejoice! For, here, I AM coming; and I will live among you,
says Adonai (The Lord).” His fleshly body was a “temporary” dwelling while on
earth.
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