At no point in the course of human existence have the chosen people of God been called to be anything less than consecrated to their Creator—set apart unto, dedicated in holiness—sanctified for the glory of Yahweh.
The demand for consecration extended well beyond the scope of persons; in fact, this holiness extended toimplements in the Tabernacle, and in Israelite life.
- The garments of the priests were to be holy (Exodus 28:2-4).
- The altar is most holy to Yahweh. (Exodus 30:10).
- The incense is holy to Yahweh. (Exodus 30:37).
- The Sabbath is to be holy. (Exodus 31:15).
- The anointing oil, the laver, the laver’s stand—holy (Exodus 31).
- The tabernacle and all its furnishings were to be anointed as they were to be holy (Exodus 40:9).
- Sacrifices are holy to Yahweh. (Leviticus 23:20, 27:9).
- The house set is apart as holy (Leviticus 27:14).
- The fields are holy to Yahweh (Leviticus 27:16).
- Leased lands holy to Yahweh (Leviticus 27:22).
- Tithe of the land, the fruit of the land as holy to Yahweh (Leviticus 27:30).
- Herds or flocks are holy to Yahweh (Leviticus 27:32).
- Firstborn males of the flocks and herds were to be holy (Deuteronomy 15:19).
And even in the end times, the imagery is clear: “In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘Holy to Yahweh.’ And every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to Yahweh of hosts” (Zechariah 14:20-21).
All of these things were established to serve Yahweh—never to be employed as common-use vessels. Therefore, they are all consecrated to be sacred and not used for the profane or common usage. Certainly, the entire Nation of Israel itself was called to be wholeheartedly committed and faithful to Yahweh.
Because the bar was set high for all things dedicated to serve Yahweh, it is logical that the high priest—the intermediary between the people and Yahweh—be holy to Yahweh. Exodus 28:36-38; 39:30 reveal the ever-present reminder of his calling.
You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to Yahweh.” You shall fasten it on a blue cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall take away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel set apart as holy, with regard to all their holy gifts; and it shall continually be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh.
— Exodus 28:36-38 LSB
This golden plate was a constant exhortation, always on his mind that he was called to purity, to fulfill his solemn responsibility. He was dedicated to Yahweh, and everything he did was holy to Yahweh because his mediatorial role was sacred in offering sacrifices and aligning the people back into the graces of Yahweh. He was to wear this continually as a constant reminder that he was never to be desecrated by ill conduct or thoughts.
As he entered into the Holy of Holies, he was keenly aware of the gold plate upon his head. It was a caution for him to be focused that what he was doing was sacred and serious. Anything he would do in the course of his daily walk could compromise his ability to represent the people in holiness before a holy God.
You may be thinking, “This does not apply to me, or the present-day Christian. I am in the clear; I am not a priest”; however, the words in 1 Peter 1:15-16 would argue otherwise, “… but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
Clearly everyone who has come to Christ is to be devoted to the Lord in holiness—holiness which reflects the glory of Yahweh. Again, we may errantly claim this standard to be an impossibility, to be set apart to God with complete piety.
But we must remember that in Christ, we are positionally holy before God our judge, and we have a sojourn to walk here on Earth, wherein our conduct is to be divinely pure. Though we do not wear a physical gold plate upon our head to remind us to be “Holy to Yahweh,” Yahweh has graciously placed within us the Holy Spirit, to teach us, sustain us, and allow us a way of escape in times of temptation.
Peter gives a concise list, a reasoning of why we are to Be Holy—to pursue this holiness.
Because God is our Judge and Father: “And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn.” — 1 Peter 1:17
Because we have been redeemed at the greatest price—the blood of Christ: “… knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:18-19
Because the uncompromised, enduring word granted from Heaven by the Holy Spirit: “for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God”— 1 Peter 1:23.
Our call to holiness is a Trinitarian superlative— established and effected by Yahweh Himself.
We do not have a present-day plate which notes, “Holy to Yahweh,” but the Holy Spirit indwells us. He is both the seal of our positional holiness and the constant internal witness calling us to practical holiness. And it is He who empowers us to be that kind of holy–set-apart, dedicated to, committed to, and consecrated to wholly serving a holy God.
Chosen, redeemed, indwelt—Holy! Truly, Yahweh knows best!
[Holy to Yahweh is Chapter 21 of a forthcoming book The Sheep of His Pasture]
So beautiful, timely, so appropriate for me. Two of my favorite scriptures Isaiah 6:1&2
They just lift my soul!! Praise God!
Looking forward to the rest of the book.