Some view the season of Lent as a “holy” time of year, leading up to Holy Week. “Holy” is a word we don’t usually use in everyday life but only in a religious context. Does the word “holy” draw up negative or positive connotations for you? What words do you pair with it? Perhaps you think of the Holy Bible, holy communion, holy matrimony, or maybe even “holy cow!”
What is holiness?
Because of our cultural changes over time, many do not understand what the biblical meaning of holiness is actually about. A simple definition is someone, somewhere, or something that is set apart for God’s use in his presence. It is not a moral quality.
Surprisingly, the first thing with the label of “holy” is time, when God blesses the seventh day and makes it holy (Genesis 2:3). The Israelites at Mount Sinai received mandates to maintain its honor, keeping the Sabbath holy, one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8).
Holy things in the Bible
Not unexpected, we can learn more about holiness from the biblical text. Many things are holy in the Bible, including places, people, and objects. The second use of “holy” is in Exodus 3:5 when God tells Moses to take off his sandals at the burning bush because he is on holy ground. God labels the Israelites a holy nation after the Exodus (Exodus 19:6).
The tabernacle gives us great examples of holiness. The book of Exodus spends many chapters describing how to build this special tent. Its structure, contents, and priestly garments are all holy. This tent had two rooms, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Later God dwelt in a temple in Jerusalem, causing both the city and the temple to be holy.
The opposite of holy
Accordingly, we may assume the opposite of being holy is being unholy. We may think of holy things are good and godly and unholy things are bad or evil. But actually, the reverse of being holy (unique/special) is being common! It’s not a bad thing, just ordinary. A synonym for “common” is “profane.” Profanity can include not treating God’s personal name as holy.
As an illustration, the priests receive the command, “You are to distinguish between the holy and the common…” (Leviticus 10:10) They need to weigh this when using items and spaces. God does not want his intimate property to become profane, or used in the manner of common items and places.
A modern example is to consider how you may treat a Bible. How would you feel about using a Bible as a booster seat for a child, a prop under a wobbly table, or as kindling, tearing some pages of an old copy to help light a fire? If you regard the Bible as any common book, these would not bother you compared to someone who views the Bible as holy and special. Some treat their Bibles as God’s Holy Word, with respect such as not placing them on the floor, reading one in the bathroom, etc.
Becoming holy
Only God is completely holy. In Hebrew, words are repeated for emphasis. When Revelation gives a peek into God’s throne room we see four living creatures declaring:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
Revelation 4:8
who was and is and is to come!”
In contrast, holiness and commonness are on a spectrum. The process of making something or someone holy is the fancy religious word “sanctification.” Biblical methods of setting people apart include being anointed with oil or hands laid upon them.
Holy people
We may roll our eyes at the idea of holy people, viewing them as self-righteous snobs. But, holiness is not just something applicable in the Old Testament or in Heaven. Did you know that God commands believers to be holy? The apostle Peter applies the commands given to Israel to those following Jesus:
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV (quoting Leviticus 11:44)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9, ESV (quoting Exodus 19:6)
If we think that being holy is being perfect, we would say this is impossible. But when we realize it is about being set apart for God’s purposes, we see that is possible through our submission to his will instead of our own desires.
Ponder
What is one step you can take to become more holy this week? What can you set apart in your life to bring God glory?
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16, ESV
Great article Marcia!! I’m trying to refrain from saying “holy cow!” It’s a bad habit I grew up with but I know cows aren’t holy:)
I think, because of our background, I have certain expectations of what a church should look like, how we should dress for church, (no “holy” jeans!) and what our conduct should be in church. I realize that makes me “old fashioned” but I think we lose a sense of God’s holiness when a church service doesn’t look any different than any sort of secular gathering. Making church “special” starts our week off with a reminder that we want to give God our best and show respect and honor to Him in everything we do.
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