10 AUGUST

THE SCARLET CORD (4)

“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.”(Proverbs 31:21)

Scarlet? That’s a colour! Why not another colour to describe the winter garments? In other versions of the Bible, this clothing is described as expensive scarlet, wool and warm clothing. In David’s lament over Saul in 2 Samuel 1:24, he describes the clothing of scarlet as luxurious.

Some poor people, especially the elderly, in climes with severe winter, die of cold when they cannot afford warm clothing and adequate heating. In the English dictionary, “scarlet” means bright red colour or being sinful/whorish. This virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, who seemed perfect, used protective and warm clothing of scarlet for the harsh winter season as a foreshadow of the saving and protective power in the blood of Jesus.

Jesus shed His red blood as the scarlet cord to save man from his sinful/ whorish nature. He comes as the light of warm luxurious clothing on a dark winter day, when we allow Him to be our covering and heating in this dark world of sin.

ACTION: Have you made Jesus Christ the “Scarlet Covering” of your life? If not, do so now.

PRAYER: Lord, please wash me clean and present me faultless before your throne of grace.