Sound The Trumpet

We know that Adam and Eve realized they were naked and were ashamed.  One could argue that they were ashamed because of their sin.  Certainly, they were ashamed of their sin and how they disappointed God.  However, as we examine Scripture, we can see that revealing the body, outside of marriage, also reveals one’s shame.  If it is shameful to show nakedness, it would be unreasonable of God to set a standard for us without defining that standard.  So, how does God define naked?  Answering this question will solve many of the problems we face as a result of the indecency we see around us today.  If you go to the typical beach in America during the summer and ask the people if they are naked, they will quickly tell you no.  As much as it reveals, a woman’s bathing suit still reveals much of the woman’s body.  No one on the beach would admit they are naked.  In fact, you may even be able to find many who are quite proud of their bodies and are showing them off.  Is this God’s plan?  Does God approve of this?

Isa 47:3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.

God is saying that their nakedness shall be uncovered and their shame revealed.  In other words, God is saying that revealing your nakedness is revealing your shame.  So, what is nakedness? How does God define nakedness? Before we answer that question, ask yourself this:  Regardless of what the standard turns out to be, do you want to walk around naked or would you be willing to dress in a way that pleases God?

Exo 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach.

In this passage of Exodus, God is giving instructions to the priests about how they are to dress when they come before Him.  We do not have to dress like a Hebrew priest.  Rather, the point here is to see that God defined as covering ones nakedness.  This passage speaks of linen breeches.  Breeches are a garment worn by men – today, we call them trousers or pants.  God is instructing the priests to cover their nakedness with a garment that extends "from the loins even unto the thighs."  As we see in the next verse, this garment (which came to the knee) covered their nakedness.

Isa 47:2-3 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. (3) Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.

We just looked at Isaiah 47:3, and how revealing ones nakedness also reveals their shame.  Isaiah 47:2 defines what nakedness is by saying, "...make bare the leg, uncover the thigh ... thy nakedness shall be uncovered..."  What is the Lord saying here?  He is telling us what nakedness is: uncovering the thigh.   The thigh is the part of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee.  In other words, it is the leg from the knee up.  In fact, it is not just the top of the knee where the thigh begins, it is the bottom of the femur (thigh bone).  The femur and the tibia / fibula bones (lower leg bones) meet in the knee.  We could argue that the thigh extends to the middle of the knee where these bones meet.
If we take God's Word as our absolute standard, as we should, would a skirt that only covers part of the thigh be revealing your nakedness?  What about a pair of shorts that do not completely cover the thigh?  What about a bathing suit that does not cover the thigh at all?  Do you walk around naked?