And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
I include the whole of these verses into one view, for the better apprehension, and of connecting together what is recorded of John the Baptist. And first let us pause and consider the person and character of this illustrious man. His birth, though not miraculous, was attended with such remarkable circumstances, as intimated a more than ordinary purpose intended from his ministry. As the herald and harbinger of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Prophets Isaiah and Malachi foretold of his coming. Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1. And his birth was not only announced by the ministry of an angel, but it was declared of him by the same heavenly messenger, that he should be filled with the HOLY GHOST even from his mother's womb Luke 1:13-17. And the LORD JESUS himself declared concerning him, that among them that are born of women, there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist. Matthew 11:11
Now before the Reader goes a step further in the account of John, let him pause, and ponder over the precious testimony which this wonderful man, this greatest of men born of women, gave of his Almighty LORD and Master, For when the Jews upon John's appearing, sent to ask him who he was, and the object of his mission; he declared himself to be unworthy of the office of even unloosening the very latchets of CHRIST'S shoes. I am (said John) the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the LORD. John 1:19-36. And what is a voice? It is a nonentity, a mere sound, light as air, and so short in its being and existence, if it can be called by such a name, that when it hath performed its office, it dies away in the air, is dissolved, and is known no more. Such said John am I, when considered in any comparative view with my LORD and Master. Reader! are you a believer in the GODHEAD of CHRIST? Oh! think what a precious testimony this is to that glorious doctrine of our holy faith! And should a reader of the Arian or Socinian heresy but glance the same; oh that the LORD the HOLY GHOST may graciously carry conviction to his very soul of the blessed truth, and bring him upon his knees with Thomas; crying out My LORD and My GOD!
The next thing to be noticed in the account of John, is of his office and ministry. He came preaching and baptizing. Baptizing was altogether a new rite in the church, and probably John was called the Baptist on this account, for he was the first who used it. But both his preaching the doctrine of repentance, and the use of baptism were evidently intended only as preparatory to the coming of CHRIST: for no efficacy did John pretend to convey by his preaching the doctrine of repentance: for to CHRIST is reserved the power of communicating the grace of repentance in the heart: for it is said, that He was exalted as a Prince and a Savior for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31. And John no less drew a line of everlasting distinction between his water ordinance, and the unction of the HOLY SPIRIT. I indeed baptize you (said he) with water; but He shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST and with fire. Matthew 3:11
I pass over all notice of the endless disputes which have taken place in the church of CHRIST on the subject of baptism. The warmest advocates for immersion, who are themselves partakers of the baptism of the SPIRIT, will be free to confess that the outward sign, void of the inward effect, is nothing worth. And they who contend for infant baptism, if they know anything of the LORD, must as readily allow, that nothing short of the regeneration of the heart can be profitable before GOD. Here then let it rest. It is awful to behold thousands who have been baptized in their infancy by water only; and who, in riper years, live and die as complete infidels as those who never heard of CHRIST. And it is equally awful to behold numbers who have been immersed in riper years; and yet, by their after conduct, as fully proved that they never were baptized by the HOLY GHOST. Oh! LORD! grant to my soul the continual baptisms und renewings of the HOLY GHOST to be shed upon me abundantly, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Titus 3:5-6
The poor food, and the austere dress and 'manners of the Baptist, are particularly noticed by the Evangelist. His raiment perhaps, was somewhat in conformity to ancient times. See 2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4. The Locusts were among the clean beasts allowed for food. Leviticus 2:16. Reader! It is our happiness under the gospel to remember that meat commendeth us not to God. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST. Romans 14:1 throughout. 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:15.