YHWH (Jehovah) M'Kaddesh - The Lord Doth Sanctify
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Introduction
Introduction
We have the next compound name of God which is YHWH M’Kaddesh which means “the LORD doth sanctify.” This the eighth compound name using God’s personal name, YHWH (Jehovah).
Take your charts and you can fill in the box underneath the name YHWH Shammah YHWH (Jehovah) M’Kaddesh.
As we begin to consider this name of God, turn in your Bibles to 2 Timothy 3.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
I believe that all of you would agree with me that we are now living in the last day and in some perilous times. The entire world has lost their minds. We are quickly approaching the same level of evil and wickedness that was seen before the time of the Great Flood in Genesis. Satan’s influence over men is growing exponentially. Our world is plagued with moral filth, selfish desires, unnatural affection, pride, arrogance, unlawful, and vile actions. Yet, in the midst of that is going on around us, God still expects His people to be holy and righteous. It is an expectation that God emphasized repeatedly to Israel.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
An expectation that He still has for those who put their trust in His Son as their Savior. After salvation, God expects us to live holy and righteous even today when we are surrounded on every side by immorality and sin.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
This expectation of God is the basis then of all His compound names which include His name, Jehovah. However, when we come to the name YHWH (Jehovah) M’Kaddesh, we find a name that speaks to those of us who appreciate that fact He has called us to be holy.
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
Note that this verse ends with the statement “I am the LORD (YHWH/Jehovah) that doth sanctify.”
The Hebrew word “kodesh” is where we get our word “holiness.” It is a word that closely associates with “sanctify.” If you do a word study on “kodesh,” you will find that it occurs 175 times as a verb meaning “to be holy or to sanctify.” It is also used as noun. As a noun, you will find it 469 times and often it is translated as “holiness, holy thing, or sanctuary.”
In fact, this word is literally used about 700 times in various forms. In all of its forms is implies dedication and consecration as something or someone is hallowed or made holy.
Now, as you look back at this verse, it is quite clear that this word in conjunction with God’s name, YHWH, expresses God’s divine character as well as His design for His people. He is Jehovah M’Kaddesh, the LORD who sanctifies.
Here is something important to know about this word as it applies to the LORD. The word “sanctify” is interchangeable with the word “hallow.” They are essentially the one and the same. However, there is a distinction that must be made. When we see the word “sanctify” used in reference to God, it cannot mean “to make holy.” Why is that? God is absolutely and forever holy. Let me give you an example in Scripture.
13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; And let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Clearly it says, “sanctify the LORD of hosts.” However, what it means is we are to think of, or treat as holy the LORD of hosts. God is already holy and we do not make Him holy. No, instead, we are to recognize the fact He is holy and treat Him as such. Additionally, anything that is of God is inherently holy. For example, we are to sanctify His name. Again, it does not mean we are to make His name holy for it is already holy because it belongs to God. No, we are to treat His name as holy. When God instructed Israel to sanctify the Sabbath day, He did not mean for them to make it holy. No, it was already holy because He deemed it so.
Let’s move this forward a little. As I mentioned a few minutes ago, the words “sanctify” and “hallow” are interchangeable. In Scripture, both words are always connected to God’s people. This is important for this reason. Whatever God sets apart or sanctifies, He makes holy. By the same token, whatever God makes holy He sets apart or sanctifies. Think about it this way. There is not one person sitting here tonight who can make themselves holy. The only way we are made holy is due to what God has already done in making us holy. Let me give you a verse and I will do some further explanation. Look at 1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Who did the sanctifying or setting apart according to this verse? It was the Holy Spirit, Jehovah God. Who did the washing and the justifying? Again, it was the Holy Spirit, Jehovah God. Christ paid the price and purchased our salvation. He paved the way. Then, when we accepted by faith God’s grace, the Holy Spirit washed, sanctified, and justified us in Christ’s name. God did it all. In a sense, we are now His resulting in us partaking in His divine nature. If He is holy, then He has made us holy. That is our position. However, since we are holy, we now practice being holy.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
The very first occurrence of the word “sanctify” is found in Genesis. Look at Genesis 2:3
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
As you recall, God completed His work of creation in six days. However, on the seventh day, He rested from His work as we just read. Note also Exodus 20:8
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Now go back to our text.
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
God sanctifies the Sabbath, the seventh day, and then gave it to Israel as a covenant sign. Their obersevance of the Sabbath was a constant reminder that their God was Jehovah, a God of righteousness and holiness. However, it meant more than just He was Jehovah for He was Jehovah M’Kaddesh, Jehovah who sanctifies. Each Sabbath then became an observance commemorating God as the one who hallows or sanctifies His people. In others words, it was constantly before them that God expected His people to be morally and spiritually pure.
Now, there as more than just the Sabbath to remind them. The Sabbath was a weekly reminder. God also provided them with great feasts and fasts which were “holy convocations.” He also commanded them to sanctify or set apart places and things. Even individuals were set apart for God before, or at, their birth. Note the command of Exodus 13:2
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
This act of sanctifying all firstborn emphasized the fact that God has chose Israel to represent Him. Who is God? He is Jehovah, the God of righteousness, truth, and purity. If they were going to represent Him to the rest of the world, it was necessary then for them to reflect His righteousness, truth, and purity by their words and actions. The entire book of Leviticus could be titled, “The Book of Sanctification.” Everything in the book of Leviticus speaks to the fact that God who is holy set Israel apart to be holy and expected them to follow Him in holiness. In fact, there are seven things for which they were set apart as noted in Leviticus.
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Obey the LORD
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Obey the LORD
8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Purity
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Purity
7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy.
Sanctified (Set Apart) unto God
Sanctified (Set Apart) unto God
15 Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the Lord do sanctify him.
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Healthiness
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Healthiness
23 Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them.
Sanctified (Set Apart) in their Diet
Sanctified (Set Apart) in their Diet
8 That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the Lord.
9 They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the Lord do sanctify them.
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Instruct Others
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Instruct Others
15 And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the Lord;
16 Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the Lord do sanctify them.
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Remember
Sanctified (Set Apart) to Remember
32 Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you,
33 That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.
It was Jehovah that had redeemed them, and now Jehovah M’Kaddesh exercised His right in claiming their full allegiance to Him. For that reason, every phase of life as an Israelite was a reminder the He was Holy and expected His people to be Holy as well.
When we transition into the New Testament, God’s expectation of His people has not changed. His dealing with men changed as He set Israel aside. Still today He expects His people to sanctify their lives and way of living to Him. In fact, the argument can be made that God paid a greater price for our redemption than He did for Israel. Thus, there is a greater demand now for us to live holy lives than before.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jehovah M’Kaddesh takes on a much fuller meaning for us as believers today. Our faith and hope is based on the fact that He is the Lord that sanctifies. Our relationship with Him today exists on very different level than His relationship with Israel.
The whole purpose of sanctification is based upon the character of Jehovah M’Kaddesh. We know that God is holy. Thus, by His very nature, He can only associate with holy people. There is nothing we can do make ourselves holy enough to associate with God. Our righteousness is filthy and our efforts to be righteous are futile. We can only be righteous or holy by what God does for He is the LORD that sanctifies. Note 1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Based upon what is written, where does our ability to be holy come from? If we are to without spot and blameless before God, He must make us so. It is only by His power and might that we can even come close to being holy before Him. Therefore, His command to be holy comes with a positive assertion that we can be holy for He is holy. Thus, His name, Jehovah (I Am the Eternal Existing One) Sanctifies (Makes us Holy) You, contains not only a picture of His character, but it also indicates His desire to make us holy.
Now, here is one last thought about sanctification as it relates to God and our relationship with Him. Our sanctification is based on God’s nature for He is holy. Thus, all who are in Christ are made holy and acceptable unto Him. Our sanctification is practical in that we can love holy lives before Him each day as He helps us be holy. Yet, here is this next point, our sanctification is an ongoing process. Each day is new opportunity for us to grow in our holiness and righteousness before Him. Just like growth is a big part of the physical world around us, so growth is a huge part of our spiritual life as well. We are to grow up in Him in all things. Daily we are to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, we must seek to grow in faith striving to be more obedient to His Word. When we do, our hope in His promises grow stronger. Yet, at the heart of every believer’s daily life should be growing commitment to live sacrificially for God and others.
Note the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is very interesting verse for a couple of reasons. First, it once again reiterates that God is the One Who does the sanctifying. Note that it states “God…sanctify you.” Is that not Jehovah M’Kaddesh? The second interesting thing is the extent to which must be sanctified. Here the Holy Spirit prays that our whole “spirit and soul and body” be “preserved blameless” until Christ’s return. Each of us possess a spirit, soul, and body. Consequently, each part of us must be sanctified or set apart.
The Sanctified Spirit
The Sanctified Spirit
Our spirit is that part of us which relates to God. Some have said that it the “organ of God-consciousness.” Before salvation, that part of you was dead. It is the reason why we often talk about unbeliever being spiritually dead. The spirit of a man is the part of him that need resurrecting. It is also the part of man that when it is resurrected communes with God’s Spirit.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
A truly sanctified soul is then one that responds faithfully to the Holy Spirit’s nudging when only come when the spirit acknowledges the Spirit’s prodding. However, when our spirit’s work in conjunction with His Spirit it results in prayer, worship, adoration, meditation, and praise towards God. We progress in our sanctification or holiness.
The Sanctified Soul
The Sanctified Soul
The soul is the essence of our being. It is, by all accounts, the seat of our natural emotions, affections, desires, and imaginations. It is the soul that maintains an active will or, as often say, self. Our self-consciousness comes via our soul. The soul is the person. Without a soul, there is no person. Who we are, our personality and indiviuality, comes via our soul. Every person’s soul is eternal. When a person dies, it is their soul that leaves the body. For the believer, their soul is taken to be with the Lord to await being reunited with our future glorified body. For the unbeliever, their soul is already condemned by sin and destined for eternal torment. During this lifetime, what a soul decides concerning God, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, determines their eternal destination.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
The Sanctified Body
The Sanctified Body
Our body is the seat of our five senses. Through the body’s different parts and united to form a body, we are able to connect with the world around us. When it comes to the this body, God’s Word has much to say about sanctification. God calls for us to sanctify our bodies by dedicating them to Him. Our bodies are the instruments by which we serve Him and, thus, we are to use them as members of righteousness. Our eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet and other physical faculties are to be set apart and placed under the Spirit’s control. When do so, God then uses us as a medium of blessing to others around us.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.