Holiness of God

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The moral excellence of God that unifies his attributes and is expressed through his actions, setting him apart from all others. Believers are called to be holy as God is holy.

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God’s nature is holy

He is perfect

Dt 32:4; Is 6:3; Re 4:8

See also 2 Sa 22:31; Job 6:10; Ps 18:30; Ps 22:3; Ps 71:22; Ps 78:41; Is 41:14; Is 43:15; Hab 1:13; Jn 17:11; Re 6:10

He is uniquely holy

1 Samuel 2:2 LEB

There is no one holy like Yahweh, for there is no one besides you, and there is no rock like our God.

See also Ex 15:11; Ps 77:13; Is 40:25; Re 15:4

God’s name is holy

Ezekiel 36:21–23 LEB

And I was concerned for my holy name, which, the house of Israel defiled among the nations to which they went. “Therefore thus say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Not for your sake am I about to act, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you defiled among the nations to which you went. And I will consecrate my great name, which was profaned among the nations and which you have profaned in the midst of them, and the nations will know that I am Yahweh!” ’ a declaration of the Lord Yahweh, when I show myself holy before their eyes.

See also Le 22:32; 1 Ch 16:35; 1 Ch 29:16; Ps 33:21; Ps 97:12; Is 57:15; Eze 39:25; Lk 1:49

God’s dwelling-place is holy

Is 57:15 David’s palace was regarded as holy because of the presence of the ark

See also 2 Ch 8:11; 2 Ch 30:27; Ps 2:6; Ps 3:4; Ps 5:7; Ps 11:4; Ps 15:1; Ps 20:6; Ps 47:8; Ps 48:1; Ps 65:4; Is 63:15; Joe 3:17; Ob 16–17; Jon 2:4; Mic 1:2; Hab 2:20; Zec 2:13; Ac 21:28 The Jews accused Paul of defiling the temple area by bringing in Gentiles; Eph 2:21–22 the church as the dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit; Heb 10:19–22; Re 22:19

God’s holiness is revealed in his righteous activity

Isaiah 5:16 LEB

But Yahweh of hosts is exalted by justice, and the holy God shows himself holy by righteousness.

See also Jdg 5:11; 1 Sa 12:7; Ps 77:13; Ps 145:17; Da 9:14; Da 9:16; Zep 3:5

God’s holiness affects worship

It is celebrated in worship

Psalm 99:5 LEB

Exalt Yahweh our God, and worship at his footstool. He is holy.

See also 1 Ch 16:29; Ps 29:2; Ps 99:5; Ps 103:1; Ps 105:3; Ps 145:21; Is 6:3

Coming before a holy God requires preparation

Exodus 3:5 LEB

And he said, “You must not come near to here. Take off your sandals from on your feet, because the place on which you are standing, it is holy ground.”

See also Ex 29:37; Ps 24:3–4; 1 Co 11:28; Heb 10:1–2; Heb 10:22

Special requirements and tasks are given to worship leaders

Le 21:7–8 the priests; Le 21:10–15 the high priest

Aaron and his family:

Ex 28:1–43; Le 21:16–23

2 Ch 29:5 the Levites

God’s holiness is to be seen in his people

God’s people are to be holy because he is holy

Le 19:2; 2 Ti 1:9

See also Ex 19:6; Ex 22:31; Le 11:44; Mt 5:48; Ro 12:1; 1 Co 1:2; 2 Co 11:2 the church is to be pure as the bride of Jesus Christ; Eph 1:4; Eph 5:3; Php 4:8; Col 1:22; Col 3:12; 1 Th 3:13; 1 Th 4:3–7; Tt 1:8 a qualification for an elder; Heb 2:11; Heb 3:1; Heb 12:10; 1 Pe 1:15–16

Becoming holy involves striving after God

2 Peter 3:14 LEB

Therefore, dear friends, because you are waiting for these things, make every effort to be found at peace, spotless and unblemished in him.

See also 2 Co 7:1; 2 Co 13:11; Eph 4:22–24; 1 Ti 5:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 1:20–21; 2 Pe 3:11–12

The holiness of believers originates from God

Exodus 31:13 LEB

“And you, speak to the Israelites, saying, ‘Surely you must keep my Sabbaths, because it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, in order to know that I am Yahweh, who consecrates you.

See also Le 22:9; Dt 28:9; Ps 4:3; 1 Jn 3:1–3

Jesus Christ purifies Christian believers

1 John 1:7 LEB

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

See also Heb 7:26–28; Heb 9:26–28; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 3:4–6

God’s holiness makes sin objectionable to him

Habakkuk 1:13 LEB

Your eyes are too pure to see evil, and you are not able to look at wrongdoing. Why do you look at the treacherous? Why are you silent when the wicked swallows up someone more righteous than him?

God’s holiness necessitates dependence upon him for forgiveness

Psalm 51:1–17 LEB

Be gracious to me, O God, according to your loyal love. According to your abundant mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and from my sin cleanse me. For I myself know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, only you, I have sinned and have done this evil in your eyes, so that you are correct when you speak, you are blameless when you judge. Behold, in iniquity I was born, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden parts you make me to know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and all my iniquities blot out. Create a clean heart for me, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and with a willing spirit sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation; then my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For you do not delight in sacrifice or I would give it. With a burnt offering you are not pleased. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.