My friend wrote this regarding the mixing if threads. Very helpful I think
Bring the Books: Why Did God Forbid Blending Threads?
Hello Brandon,
Thank you for the article. When I first read it, it made a lot of sense, but after a closer look, I started having second thoughts and wanted to offer the author some comments.
Here is his conclusion:
"That passage in Deuteronomy is not a blanket prohibition of mixing threads all the time. Rather, it is prohibiting the
average Israelite to dress like the priests. Since we don't have priests anymore and because there is no biblical command to differentiate pastors from the laity by clothing, we no longer obey this particular commandment."
I have a problem with the verses he uses to support his conclusion. Here is what he says:
"...they also tend not to deal with the fact that God actually
commands his priests to have this same mixed fabric in their garb in Exodus 28:6, 15 and in Exodus 39:29. The priest wore a belt of mixed threads. Furthermore, Exodus 26:1-2, 7-8 commands that the curtain of the tabernacle be
made from this same "forbidden" mixture of wool and linen."
Well look at Exodus 28:6, 15, Exodus 39:29 and you will not find "the same" mixture of linen and wool referenced in Deut. 22:11 and Lev. 19:19. Actually the word "wool" is not even there. It seems to be talking about linen only.
I don't see a strong case here. I don't see God anywhere in Scripture commanding his priests to wear "the same forbidden mixture", not even in the making of the Tabernacle curtain.
What you will find is God instructing priests ministering in the Temple
NOT to wear any wool. This probably has to do with fact that sweat is an aspect of the curse, and God not allowing it inside a holy place.
Eze 44:17 When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments.
They shall have nothing of wool on them, while they minister at the gates of the inner court, and within. 18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists.
They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.
Earlier in Ezekiel you see God bringing judgment to "the shepherds of Israel" for they were clothing themselves with wool:
Eze 34:3 You eat the fat,
you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.
I would argue that the command was actually directed to priests serving in the Temple, and not to the laity as the author suggests.