ANYTHING THAT CAUSES SWEAT

"They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat."  NKJV (Ezekiel 44:18)

Beginning with the 40th chapter of Ezekiel, and going thru the 48th chapter, the prophet is given a vision of a city and temple. Many believe this to be one of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture. Orthodox Jews do not even allow even allow men to read the passage until they are thirty years of age. The passage is generally understood to speak of the full restoration of man to God in a pictorial form. The massive dimensions that are given prohibit the idea that Ezekiel was providing the pattern for the rebuilding of an earthly temple to God. In my judgment, this section of Scripture speaks of great spiritual renewal, when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. This is confirmed by the vision of the healing waters that come toward the close of the vision (47:1-12).
Our text is couched in the middle of this remarkable and challenging passage. The priests were not to wear anything that caused them to sweat – anything woolen. Rather, they wore "linen," which cloth made from threads, and that could breathe. The priests were involved in the work of the Lord, and devotedly so. While their responsibilities involved many and extended labors, they were to be careful not to wear clothing that promoted sweating. You may recall that one of the curses resulting from sin was, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Gen 3:19). The ministry of the priest, however, was not toiling for bread, nor was it primarily for the sustenance of self. This was a work for God, and hence was to be disassociated from the curse brought on by sin. To show how extensively "sweat" is associated with the curse of sin, when Jesus struggled against the temptation to refuse the cup given to Him, "His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Lk 22:44).
It is the nature of "sweat" to produce a defiling odor, and to stain the garments it touches. So it is when men labor for the Lord. They are not to encumber themselves with the wool of human tradition and the wisdom of men. Such things create burdens and cause "sweat." They bring out what is in the carnal mind, rather than what is in the spiritual mind. Christ's yoke is easy, and His burden light (Matt 11:30). It is like the "linen" of the priest that did not cause "sweat." Nothing about it defiles or causes a stain upon the soul. Something to think about!