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(Exod 19:10, 14). The law they received from the Lord gave very specific instances when the Israelites were to wash their clothing as part of purification riturals-from touching the carcass of a clean animal that had died to touching something a person had touched who was having a natural discharge (Lev 11:25, 28, 40; 13:6, 34, 54-58; 14:8-9, 47; 15:5-6, 8, 10-11, 21-22; 17:15-16). The clergy and their assistants were to wash their clothing in connection with specific duties they performed (Lev 6:27; 16;26,28; Num 8:7, 21; 19:7-8, 10, 19,21). Again, because the washing of one’s clothing was done less frequently, the direction to do so was more arresting for those living in that era.
The biblical authors also use the image of clothes washing in figures of speech. In one instance we come upon the nation of washing clothing in wine. As his life was coming to a close, Jacob summoned his sons to receive his blessing. Speaking of Judah, Jacob said, “He will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes” (Gen 49:11). The direct mention of the vine, choicest branch, grapes, and wine are used to call our attention to the family vineyard. Because the vineyard provided such a critical commodity to those living in the Promise Land, no one would think of using wine as if it were merely wash water. The arresting image promises Judah a landscape filled with producing vineyards that create a surplus of wine so great that one could use it as if it were wash water.
In other instances, the figure of speech likens the taint of sin to the dirt and stains that impregnant clothing. Using the Hebrew verb that otherwise is used for washing clothing, David prayed, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . . Cleaning me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Ps 51:2,7). The Lord warned the Israelites that their penchant for rebellion had made them like a filthy garment that simply could not be washed clean even though soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me” (Jer 2:22; see also 4:14).
The ultimate clothes-cleaning experience is linked to the Messiah, who will use “launderer’s soap” to purify the people of God (Mal 3:2). This leads to the tender and comforting image that we find in the book of Revelation-an image that has brought comfort and hope to so many at the graveside of their loved ones.
During his tour of heaven, John saw a great multitude standing before him, representing all nations of the world, each person wearing a white robe. John’s heavenly tour guide explained who they were: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). We are inclined to think of bloodstains as harmful a garment, but here we learn of the cleansing power of Jesus’s blood that washes away all our sins.
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