"Wings"

(Numbers 15:37-40; Malachi 4:2)

While we sat under the shade on the church grounds of the Church of Peter’s Primacy we received a little lecture on the tallit.

In Numbers 15:37-40 the Hebrew people were instructed to make tassels on the corners of their garments with blue cord: “you will have these tassels to look upon and so remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes”. The Hebrew people did so to the garments worn beneath the outer robe. Additionally, prayer shawls were made that Jews cover themselves with while they are praying. These shawls and undergarment prayer aprons are called tallit and some have fringes that are called tzitzit. Tephillot means prayers in Hebrew and interestingly enough “praises’ comes from the same root word techillim. These tassels were tied in knots to represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. These tassels were the ones Jesus criticized the Pharisees making so long and large as if the bigger “reminder” made them holier.

Here is where it gets cool….all these tassels are tied to the corners of the garments and the corners are called WINGS…did you read the passage in Malachi? It is too cool: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Jews believe that God doesn’t command anything that He doesn’t demonstrate also; so they have a picture of God with tassels and wings on His robe like a prayer shawl.

Simply put, we are under His wings, meaning we are under His robe, under the prayer garment, next to His body. It doesn’t get any better, any closer, any more protected or…any holier.

God, I need to know this morning that You are with me and I am in You. Thank you!