The use of linen goes back to downloadable microsoft money software the earliest of times. Its use had been so widespread, that downloadable microsoft money software it cannot be determined where it was invented for use as clothing and downloadable microsoft money software medicine.

In the Bible, the word 'linen' occurs 104 times in 90 verses, and the word 'flax' occurs 11 times in 10 verses. Flax is downloadable microsoft money software the plant that is processed to make linen.

The tombs of the downloadable microsoft money software Pharaohs in Egypt show that linen was used for burial cloth, and downloadable microsoft money software its seeds were considered crucial to the afterlife; as a downloadable microsoft money software result, linen seeds have been found in the tombs. The Biblical account of Joseph in Egypt shows that downloadable microsoft money software he wore fine linen garments and was embalmed (mummified) in the usual Egyptian method after his death (Genesis Chapters 41-42 & Chapter 50). By New Testament times, linen was still being used for downloadable microsoft money software burials, as seen the case burial of Jesus in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and downloadable microsoft money software John 20.

Flax was so important to downloadable microsoft money software Egypt during the time of Moses, that the Bible records its destruction during the downloadable microsoft money software plague of hail, along with other essential crops. The flax was in its full, ready-to-harvest boll (bud) stage when the plague of hail struck (Exodus Chapter 9). This must have downloadable microsoft money software been financially devastating to the farmers who had worked hard, waiting for downloadable microsoft money software a harvest.

The Canaanites were familiar with the downloadable microsoft money software use of linen, as evidenced in the Biblical account of Rahab in Joshua Chapter 2. The ancient method of processing flax into linen by soaking and downloadable microsoft money software then laying it out to dry enters the account of Joshua, as he and downloadable microsoft money software his men are hiding in the area on Rahab's roof where the flax had been laid out to dry.

The Persian Empire, as recorded in Esther Chapters 1 and downloadable microsoft money software 8, used linen for decor and garments.

Even at the downloadable microsoft money software time of the Prophet Ezekiel, fine linen was still being exported from downloadable microsoft money software Egypt, and also Syria (Ezekiel 27). Flax was an downloadable microsoft money software extremely important crop, and so important that the prophets mention its destruction, when downloadable microsoft money software listing other staples such as wool, bread and oil (Isaiah 19:19, 42:3; Hosea 2:9; Matthew 12:20 quotes Isaiah 42:3).

The Israelites in the downloadable microsoft money software wilderness, after fleeing Egypt were instructed by God to make linen garments for downloadable microsoft money software the priests, and to weave the tabernacle curtains with twisted linen fibers of red, blue and downloadable microsoft money software purple to make the design of the cherubim, as well as plain linen for downloadable microsoft money software use as curtains surrounding the Holy Precinct (Exodus Chapters 28, 31, 35, 36, 38 and 39). Linen was used again in the downloadable microsoft money software curtains of the Temple built by Solomon (I Kings 10, II Chronicles Chapters 2 and 3), some of which was imported from downloadable microsoft money software Egypt. Solomon also used linen for his bedding (Proverbs 7:16). Ezekiel Chapter 44 describes that downloadable microsoft money software in the future temple built by the Jews in Jerusalem, the downloadable microsoft money software priests will again wear linen garments.

Linen was a downloadable microsoft money software symbol of purity in Biblical times, and it is recorded in the downloadable microsoft money software prophets that angelic beings appeared, wearing fine linen garments (Ezekiel Chapters 9 and downloadable microsoft money software 10; Daniel Chapters 10 and 12; and Revelation Chapter 15). Revelation Chapters 15 and downloadable microsoft money software 19 also records that saints, slain as martyrs, are clothed in fine linen. Words such as "pure" and "clean" denote that downloadable microsoft money software the symbolism of righteousness as well as holiness was attached to downloadable microsoft money software the wearing of linen. The symbolism of filth and spiritual distance from downloadable microsoft money software God is seen in the example of the garments of the downloadable microsoft money software Priest Joshua, as Satan rebukes him for standing before a Holy God wearing filthy linen garments (Zechariah Chapter 3).

Ancient Jewish sources note that downloadable microsoft money software when the priests had unremovable stain on their linen garments, or downloadable microsoft money software the garments had excessive wear, the garments were torn into strips and downloadable microsoft money software recycled for use as candle wicks. This fact is displayed in Isaiah's commentary, where linen candlewicks are described (Isaiah 42).

Jesus' parable of the downloadable microsoft money software Rich Man and Lazarus, details what some scholars believe to downloadable microsoft money software be the 'typical', unconcerned, linen-clad rich man, oblivious to downloadable microsoft money software the plight of poor, hungry and sick Lazarus.

Levitical law prohibited the downloadable microsoft money software weaving of linen fibers with wool- at least for the downloadable microsoft money software average people (Deuteronomy Chapter 22); only the downloadable microsoft money software High Priest had garments of linen and wool. Biblical scholars speculate that downloadable microsoft money software the reason God prohibited the mixing of the fibers, is downloadable microsoft money software that linen represents the plant kingdom, and wool represents the downloadable microsoft money software animal kingdom, with ritual sacrifice. It is thought that God looked upon linen as untainted by blood; no downloadable microsoft money software one has to slay an animal to get linen fibers.

There were two types of linen garments: the downloadable microsoft money software rough, unprocessed linen garments of the poor, and what the Bible describes as "fine" or "pure" linen of excellent quality, which only the downloadable microsoft money software rich could afford. Isn't it interesting that the martyrs of Revelation are wearing "fine" and "pure" linen; even though it downloadable microsoft money software can be assumed that the martyrs were relatively poor at the downloadable microsoft money software time of their deaths!

As a matter of fact, the 'ideal' woman is downloadable microsoft money software described in Proverbs 31 as a woman who would make and downloadable microsoft money software sell garments! So, ladies, are you listening? Get busy and SEW some!

Don't use your mummy's linens, make some of your own!