“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa. 6:3b).
The artisans constructed a golden crown to be placed on Aaron’s head with the inscription “Holiness to the LORD.” This signified that Aaron and his household were set apart for the Lord’s service. This same designation is given to all within the household of believers, for they are called the “holy ones” of God, set apart from the world and brought into His family. Those who have been called into God’s service reflect His character, of which the attribute of holiness is primary. Because of the emphasis Scripture gives to this moral attribute of God, we will spend the next ten days taking an in-depth look at the holiness of God.
The most common definition of the holiness of God is “purity, free from every stain, completely and thoroughly perfect and immaculate in every detail.” This definition would certainly reflect the care and attention given to the construction of the tabernacle. The perfection of the tabernacle reflected the perfection and purity of God.
The concept of holiness, however, is not meant to be merely an abstraction. It is generally accepted that holiness indicates not only an essential divine quality, but God’s relation to the world, though not everyone agrees on the exact nature of the relation. Some theologians see it as God’s condescending goodness or grace. This would certainly apply to passages like Hosea 11:9, “I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Holy One in your midst; and I will not come with terror;” and Isaiah 57:15, “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ ”
Others maintain that God’s holiness expresses His absolute transcendence and power over His creatures. Passages such as Jeremiah 17:12 and Isaiah 63:15 suggest this meaning: “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary;” and “Look down from heaven, and see from Your habitation, holy and glorious.” Such a definition appeals to God’s inapproachability and consuming majesty, which would also be reflected in the construction of the tabernacle with its Most Holy Place and its inner and outer courts.
What does it mean to you that you worship a holy God? According to the Scriptures, how does this bear on the way you should approach the Lord in worship? If you are the image-bearer of God, how should your life reflect the holiness of God? Spend some time today meditating on God’s holiness.
