"Holiness Belongs To Jehovah"

Since Jehovah embodies the quality of holiness, it may rightly be said that he is the source of all holiness. He does not selfishly hoard this precious quality; he imparts it to others, and he does so generously. Why, when God spoke to Moss through an angel at the burning bush, even the surrounding ground became holy as a result of its connection with Jehovah! -Exodus 3:5.

Can imperfect humans become holy with Jehovah's help? Yes, in a relative sense. God gave his people Israel the prospect of becoming "a holy nation." (Exodus 19:6) He blessed that nation with a system of worship that was holy, clean, pure. Holiness is thus a recurring theme of the Mosaic Law. In fact, the high priest wore a golden plate across the front of his turban, where all could see it glittering in the light. Engraved upon it were the words: "Holiness belongs to Jehovah." (Exodus 28:36) So a high standard of cleanness and purity was to distinguish their worship and, indeed, their way of life. Jehovah told them: "You should prove yourselves holy, because I Jehovah your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) As long as the Israelites lived by God's counsel to the extent possible for imperfect humans, they were holy in a relative sense.

This emphasis on holiness was in stark contrast with the worship of the nations surrounding Israel. Those pagan nations worshiped gods whose very existence was a lie and a sham, gods who were portrayed as violent, greedy and promiscuous. They were unholy in every possible sense. The worship of such gods made people unholy. Thus, Jehovah warned his servants to keep separate from pagan worshipers and their polluted religious practices. -Leviticus 18:24-28; 1 Kings 11:1, 2.

At its best, Jehovah's chosen nation of ancient Israel could provide only a dim reflection of the holiness of God's heavenly organization. The millions of spirit creatures who loyally serve God are referred as his "holy myriads." (Deuteronomy 33:2; Jude 14) They perfectly reflect the bright, pure beauty of God's holiness. And remember the seraphs that Isaiah saw in his vision. the content of their song suggests that these mighty spirit creatures play an important role in making Jehovah's holiness, known throughout the universe. One spirit creature, though, is above all of these -the only-begotten Son of God. Jesus is the highest reflection of Jehovah's holiness. Rightly, he is known as "the Holy One of God." -John 6:68, 69.

Next time: Holy Name, Holy Spirit

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002