18/03/2017
Lesson of the ermine
July 7, 2003
For centuries the garments of European rulers and judges have been lined with the white fur of an Ermine. The story behind that custom is one of the most unusual practices of the animal kingdom.
Since you probably haven't met an Ermine, let me introduce you to this pint-sized creature. An Ermine is a cute little animal with shining black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a long
narrow body that's some twenty inches long from the tip of his nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern region of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by a black tip on the tail.
If you looked up a picture of the Ermine on the Internet or at the library, you would be shocked by the purity of its white fur--I know I was. It's whiter than an egg shell or a lily and only freshly fallen snow can boast of such whiteness The Ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. Indeed, the animal's most unusual characteristic is it's hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunters who know this will fill the burrow of an Ermine with filth and wait with their dogs for the furry animal to return.
Once the Ermine spots the dogs the snow-white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the Ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the Ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a blood stained coat than live with a dirty one.
That's why the Ermine's fur is used on the robes of rulers and judges. This sentiment of purity is figuratively transferred to the fur as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
Don't you find it amazing that God programmed an Ermine to prefer a fight to death over a soiled coat? Think about it for a moment, his instinct for purity outweighs his survival instinct. That animal possesses something every Mighty Man needs. We need to realize personal holiness is a value worth fighting for. That's no doubt why Apostle Peter wrote these words in 1 Peter 1:15-16, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'"
We must never forget that we're involved in a spiritual battle. Since that's the case we must daily guard our minds from anything that would compromise our purity. Take a few moments and do quick review of your life. How pure are your thoughts, words and deeds? If something has soiled your fur, get rid of it and fight to keep it clean.
