When I was a boy my job was to take the sheep out to the pasture and bring them back. This was an easy job, especially when the weather was nice.
One warm day in June my father said it was time to cut the wool off the sheep. First, the sheep had to be washed, and I remember how I enjoyed helping. The sheep were taken down to the stream. One by one they were led into the water, and their coats were scrubbed clean.
The sheep were kept in a clean part of the barn for two or three days and then were led to the shearing pen. The shearers, using big hair cutters, cut away the fleeces from their skins. The sheep did not seem to mind when their heavy coats were removed.
The wool that we use for coats, suits and sweaters is still obtained the same way. Man has not invented any other way of growing wool. We still need the sheep. Today sheep shearing is done in much the same way as when I was a boy. However, the wool is no longer washed before it is cut off the sheep. This is done later at the mill where the fleece is cleaned carefully.
My mother used to comb the wool out by hand, dye it, and then spin it into yarn on a spinning wheel. Now, all of that is done by machine in the mills. Finally, the yarn is woven into cloth and made into clothing.
The sheep supply wool so that we can have a warm garment or coat. In the Bible we read of being “clothed... with the garments of salvation.” Isaiah 61:1010I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10). This garment is not supplied by sheep, but is given to you by the Lord Jesus Christ, because He loves you. This garment is the gift of having your sins washed away and is being offered to anyone who will accept it. He suffered on the cross for sinners such as you. Now He wants to clothe you with the salvation that only He can give. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour so that He can put the “garments” of salvation” on you?
ML-06/13/1982