“‘And now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is mine, and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites.”
Into the Text
From the time of Abraham, God has had a special plan for the children of Israel. Here in Exodus 19, we see that God will make a covenant with them, His special possession.
In order for the children of Israel to live in obedience to the covenant, they have to truly understand God’s character.
One of God’s chief characteristics is His holiness. God is holy, meaning He is completely perfect and separate from everything else. Everything He does is good, right, and just. Because He is holy, every other characteristic He possesses is also good and perfect.
God’s holiness is so beyond anything that we can comprehend. It is something to be revered, or honored. And it is because of His holiness that the children of Israel were commanded to stay away from the mountain when God revealed Himself to them at Sinai.
Sin prevents us from approaching a holy God. But now, we are able to approach God because of Jesus’ atoning sacrificial death and resurrection. Through faith in Him, we are justified, made holy, and restored into relationship with God the Father.
Understanding God’s holiness allows us to rightfully view who we are as His children through the lens of His grace and mercy. The Father’s love leads us to want to listen and obey His commands. We are not required to strive for this love and acceptance, but we serve out of the deep knowledge that we are forgiven and cherished.
Prayer
God, my Father, thank you that you are holy. May I spend my days marveling at your character and the grace that you’ve shown me to know you and worship you. Amen.