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Holiness

Righteousness relates to acts of God or man.

Yahweh is righteous. The “Righteous acts of Yahweh” are spoken of in 1 Sam 12:7, Dan 9:16, Micah 6:5, and Rev 15:4. That does not make Him subject to our judgment – He holds all rights.

The “Righteous acts of the saints” are mentioned in Rev 19:8. The righteousness of a man relates to tzedaqah / deeds of obedience to God’s instructions – judgments, ordinances, and statutes, and repentance from disobedience.

Holiness is distinct from righteousness. Holiness relates to men or objects that are dedicated to God’s service, either by God or man. “Holy” and “sacred” and “sanctified” are translations of the Hebrew word qodesh’, or the Greek word hagiasmos’ – meaning dedicated to the service of Yahweh. Holiness is not a physical attribute, like righteousness, but rather a state of being dedicated solely to God. Holiness may result from God’s decree of dedicating something to Himself, or from a man’s declaration of dedicating something to God. There are different levels of holiness, for various places, times, articles – and people.

 

God has dedicated Sabbaths and specific Holy Days to Himself. He has dedicated certain tithes to Himself. We are required to keep those things holy.

 

A group of people may dedicate a building to God, as a place for worship. That building then is to be used only for holy purposes. However, a common building may be used for both common purposes and worship.

 

As individuals or families, we may dedicate certain monies or other objects to God. If we make personal use of dedicated things, we are then profaning the holy – committing sin.

 

The Holy-of-holies had a higher level of holiness than the Holy Place, which in turn had a higher level of holiness than the Temple courts. The Holy Temple had a higher level of holiness than local synagogues. Sabbaths have a higher level of holiness than intermediate feast days. The Holy Temple had a higher level of holiness than the offerings of gold that were placed there.

 

Priests were required to have a higher level of holiness – dedication to God’s work – than other people. And they were required to teach the people to distinguish between the holy and the common (Ezekiel 22:26, 44:23).

 

We are commanded to be holy to Yahweh (Leviticus 19:2, 20:26, 1 Peter 16:2), and without holiness, no man shall see Him (Hebrews 12:14)! In contrast to the world, even work and family matters should be performed acceptably to be dedicated to the service of our Savior – thus the common to us may have a level of holiness.

 

Finally, Yahweh is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3) – all of His creation and works are dedicated to Himself. Consider the sovereignty and awesomeness in that!

 

Personal Holiness

 

Dedication to our Savior is about our hearts. It encompasses how we treat others, worship and prayer, praise and thanksgiving, our manner of speech, overcoming of sin, morality and raising children for God’s kingdom, Sabbath and Holy Day observance, ethical work life, tithing and almsgiving, respect for law and authority.

Communal Holiness

 

Dedication to our Savior is about the community’s heart. It encompasses formal Bible instruction, Sabbath and Holy Day services, a court system of righteous judgment (recognition that God holds all of the rights), a support system for the needy.


 

Being expanded

 

 

© 2017  Beikvot HaMashiach
(Followers of the Messiah)