So now I'm left with the question of what book of the bible to study. Mark is what popped into my brain as I like to alternate between Old and New... James did too but I did an indepth study of James not that long ago, so we'll go with Mark.
[2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
[3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
[4] John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. [6] Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. [7] And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:1-8 ESV)
He then continues quoting words from Isaiah:
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
[3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
He tells us very simply who that prophecy is talking about. John the Baptist, a man who appeared, who baptized people in the wilderness, who proclaimed a baptism for the repentance of sins.
John was a popular man, many people went out to see from the country of Judea and the city of Jerusalem. Mark uses the word "all" to describe the number of people who went to see. John was the talk of the town and the interest of all the people. John's words drew them out and he baptized them in the river Jordan as they confessed their sins.
John, a man dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt who ate locusts and honey was clear in his message. He was calling people to one who was greater than he. That he John could only baptize the people with water, but the one coming would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.
John wholeheartedly gave himself over to his job of proclaiming to people the need for the forgiveness of their sins. Of their need for repentance. He pointed people to Christ, telling others that one was coming who was greater than he was. When I read these words I see my own inadequacy. I don't do that you know. I'm not always so bold and brave. I love my Lord but I am so often beset by uncertainty and sometimes fear. I need to be bold like John, fully commited to the task that is laid out before me.
Traditionally it was used to make tents, carpets and cloaks. I bring this up because I always thought of John wearing these really rough clothes, but they may not have been. It was just a particular type of garment that he wore. Camel's hair has high thermostatic properties provide insulation and it also provides protection from heat.