The Outer Covering

And a covering above of badgers’ skins.). This typifies the Church in its outward appearance, as seen by man. “As the tents of Kedar.” (Song of Solomon 1: 5.) “I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with, badgers’ skin.” (Ezekiel 16:10.)
It is the pilgrim aspect of the Church, which is thus presented, in which it is conformed to the lowly appearance of Jesus when on earth, having no form nor comeliness, and no beauty that man should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2,3.) And therefore, whilst walking in conformity with the pattern. thus set us by our Lord, “the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1 John 3:1.)
Solomon’s Temple was “exceeding magnificent,” for it was the type of the redeemed in glory. The tabernacle, though all glorious within, was covered with a covering of badgers’ skins; for it is the figure of the Church in the wilderness.
Everything externally gaudy and attractive to the natural eye is entirely out of character with the present dispensation. How much this truth has been lost sight of When the mustard plant became a tree, its original distinctive character was gone. “A spreading vine of low stature” best comports with the Church’s true design. Lowliness and humility best suit its spirit, and unpretending simplicity its external form.
Those upper rooms and private dwellings in which the disciples originally met, witnessed the presence of God, the manifestation of Christ, and the power of the Spirit, blessedly and gloriously beyond compare. While the finger of God, since then, has been often employed in writing “Ichabod” on the plaster of the interior walls of many of the ecclesiastical-masterpieces of human skill. (Daniel 5:5.)
The wearing of gold, and the putting on of apparel, gives the lie to the profession of discipleship; and the embellishment of the places of assembly contradicts the acknowledgment that we are pilgrims and strangers here.
The world’s livery does not look well on the servants of Christ; and the architecture of an idol’s’ temple is not necessary to secure the presence of Jesus with the two or three assembled in his name. On the other hand, away with the thought that anything is good enough for God and Christ. No! no! “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;” but let it be suitable—let it be in accordance with God’s mind and word.
“Let all things be done decently, and in order.” Whatsoever, things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things— are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, let us think on these things.
A disciple’s outward appearance should be so consistent with the position in which God in his providence has placed him, as to give no occasion for remark; and the places of ‘assembly for God’s saints should leave the hearers and worshippers while there in entire freedom to wait on the Lord without distraction.
The tent of the congregation was not left without a covering: a suitable and substantial one was provided.
And will our God and Savior leave us destitute’ of decent clothing, or of suitable places of assembly? Surely not our “heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of these things.”