#Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours mine & ours

[bharatdezi-blog]

Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours, mine , & ours._Sherly V Thomas

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

18th November >> Mass Readings(USA)

Wednesday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time

    or 

Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

    or 

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne.

Wednesday, Thirty Third Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Revelation 4:1-11

Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.” At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal.    In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,    to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things;    because of your will they came to be and were created.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,    praise him in the firmament of his strength. Praise him for his mighty deeds,    praise him for his sovereign majesty.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,    praise him with lyre and harp, Praise him with timbrel and dance,    praise him with strings and pipe.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise him with sounding cymbals,    praise him with clanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath    praise the LORD! Alleluia.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Gospel Acclamation

cf. John 15:16

Alleluia, alleluia. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 19:11-28

Why did you not put my money in a bank?

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”    After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(There is no choice between ferial and memorial readings today, because all readings are proper to the memorial)

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 28:11-16, 30-31

And thus we came to Rome.

After three months we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island [of Malta]. It was an Alexandrian ship with the Dioscuri as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days, and from there we sailed round the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After a day, a south wind came up and in two days we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. The brothers from there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul gave thanks to God and took courage. When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.    He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R/ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,    for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him,    his holy arm.

R/ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:    in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness    toward the house of Israel.

R/ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen    the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;    break into song; sing praise.

R/ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,    with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn    sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R/ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Te Deum

Alleluia, alleluia. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 14:22-33

Command me to come to you on the water.

After the crowd had eaten their fill, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------------------------------------------

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the feria (Wednesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

Revelation 4:1-11

Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards.” At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal.    In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,    to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things;    because of your will they came to be and were created.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,    praise him in the firmament of his strength. Praise him for his mighty deeds,    praise him for his sovereign majesty.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,    praise him with lyre and harp, Praise him with timbrel and dance,    praise him with strings and pipe.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Praise him with sounding cymbals,    praise him with clanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath    praise the LORD! Alleluia.

R/ Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Gospel Acclamation

cf. John 15:16

Alleluia, alleluia. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 19:11-28

Why did you not put my money in a bank?

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”    After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[thotsonthebible]

The Other 'Mark': the Seal of God

2 Timothy 2.19

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are his'…

Last week, we discussed the 'mark of the beast', its purpose, its significance, and the result of  swearing allegiance to Satan.  But there's another 'mark' that figures prominently in the book of Revelation: the seal of God with which His people are marked.

When God sent the plagues upon Egypt, those plagues did not fall on His people Israel. He specifically said that He would make a distinction between His people and the Egyptians who were enslaving them

'But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land.  I will put a division between My people and your people….'  —Exodus 8.22-23 (NASB)

Now, as then, we are instructed to separate ourselves from the world, to dedicate ourselves to Almighty God.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. —1 Peter 2.9 (NASB)

'Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord.  'And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty.  —2 Corinthians 2.17-18 (NASB)

This is especially important as we enter these last dark days.

I heard another voice from heaven, saying, 'Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues.'  —Revelation 18.4 (NASB)

There are many who believe that we will be whisked away in the nick of time, before the upheaval of the last days.  My fear for them is that they will not be prepared for the dark days ahead and will not possess the spiritual resources necessary to endure such times.

In John's vision of the end times, we see clearly that Israel and the Church will remain here through at least part of the Tribulation.

They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, not any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.  —Revelation 9.4 (NASB)

And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.'  And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.  —Revelation 7.2-4 (NASB)

Note that there are 12,000 sealed from each of the Twelve Tribes (Revelation 7.5-8). However, the order of the Twelve is not their birth order.  I am not prepared to discuss this matter here, except to point out that the tribe of Judah, from which the Messiah descended (Matthew 1.1-17; Luke 3.23-38) is listed first; and the tribe of Dan, through whom idolatry was introduced into Israel (Judges 18), is omitted.

Those who are counting on a 'rapture' to save them from the events of the end times insist that the 144,000 are those who are saved during the Great Tribulation.  Yet those same people cite 2 Thessalonians 2.7 as proof that the Holy Spirit must be removed from the earth before the antichrist can arise.  Since it is the Holy Spirit Who calls us to Jesus (John 6.44), how, then, can anyone be saved if He is not present?  Therefore, that approach is not logical.

There are also these passages to consider:

It was also given to him [the beast] to make war with the saints and to overcome them…  —Revelation 13.7 (NASB)

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. —Revelation 13.8 (NASB) (italics mine)

And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak, and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.  —Revelation 13.15 (NASB)

… And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand…  —Revelation 20.4 (NASB)

That presupposes that at least some of those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are present on the earth during the rule of the antichrist.

Are the 144,000 from the Twelve Tribes of Israel the only ones who are marked with the seal of God?

If we read a little farther, we discover that there are others who remain true to the One God during those times of great distress.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands…  Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, 'These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?'  I said to him, 'My lord, you know.'  And he said to me, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation…' —Revelation 7.9, 13-14 (NASB) (italics mine)

To me, that sounds pretty definitive.  Some of us will be here to witness the power and the wrath of God.  And though we will be protected from His wrath, just as Israel was protected when they were in Egypt, we will be subject to the wrath of the antichrist when we refuse to deny Jesus and refuse to worship the beast.

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.  —2 Corinthians 1.21-22 (NASB)

Are you prepared? Do you have sufficient oil to keep your lamp burning until the final victory?

[mrlnsfrt]

Returning to God

On this post we continue our series through Genesis and we will be studying Genesis 35. But before we turn to Genesis 34 let’s take a moment to review Genesis 34.

For more details on Genesis 34 you can read my post When God is Absent.

After a chapter of tragedy and no mention of God a major shift takes place. God takes the initiative and peaks to Jacob.

Hearing God causes Jacob to initiate some changes within his household.

And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Genesis 35:2 NKJV

Put away the foreign gods.

What we know: There were foreign gods among those in Jacob’s household.

What we don’t know: How those gods got there.

Possibilities:

Rachel brought them from her father’s house. Genesis 31:19

Jacob’s sons took the gods of the Shechemites as part of the plunder. Genesis 34:27

Living in the land of Canaan was influencing the beliefs of Jacob’s family.

Why put away the foreign gods?

Because it was God, the God of Abraham and Isaac, who appeared to Jacob when he fled from the face of Esau his brother. Jacob wants to to obey God’s call to go to Bethel and make an altar to God, the true God who answered him in the day of his distress and has been with him in the way which he has gone.

Why would they hold on to gods who had done nothing for them? This behavior seemed silly to me at first glance, but the more I thought about it, the more I realize it might not be so different from some of our behavior in modern days. Don’t we sometimes hold on to destructive habits that only hurt us? Don’t we have things in our lives that don’t help us grow spiritually but rather often come between us and God? Are there things in our lives that, if removed, would allow us to connect more deeply with our God?

Also Jacob apparently was aware that his God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; 43:14; Deuteronomy 4:23-24). Even though its hundreds of years before Moses receives the 10 commandments (Exodus 20) Jacob seems very aware of the character of God and His will. This suggests that the 10 commandments were not anything new but rather only an official statement of what had been true from the very beginning.

Purify yourselves.

Physical cleaning and washing. (Exodus 19:10, 14; 29:4-9; Leviticus 8:6-13; 13:6)

The reason for this is unclear. There are clear benefits for being clean and there could also be moral parallels that would serve as a way of teaching the people about the character of God. There are also several examples of the people being called to wash themselves related to religious activities as well as detailed prescriptions to how the priests should be washed with water before putting on their priestly garments. (references mentioned in hyperlinks above)

Change your garments.

This in all likelihood references putting on clean clothes.

This cleansing was required probably due to the looting of the corpses at Shechem (Genesis 34:29; Numbers 31:19-20). The rape of Dinah is also rendered as “defilement” (Genesis 34:5,13,27; cf.34:7; 2Samuel 13:12).

The response?

So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. Genesis 35:4 NKJV

Interestingly, they do not simply break or destroy the idols. The idols and earrings could be melted and made into something else allowing them to keep the valuable metals and precious jewels that likely adorned the idols. There are other references to jewelry and specifically earrings being taken from plunder and/or dedicated to the LORD or becoming a snare for God’s people. (Exodus 32:2-4 Golden calf; Numbers 31:50 Dedicated to God; Judges 8:24-27 Gideon’s ephod; Deuteronomy 7:25 Don’t be tempted by the gold)

By burying all the gods and earrings at Shechem Jacob and his household were putting their past behind them and moving forward in faith to what God called them to do. They were leaving behind significant wealth that had been gained immorally and were moving forward trusting that the same God who had always been there for their father and their forefathers would continue to provide for all their needs. The wealth of the children of Israel was not to come from the immoral and vengeful murder and plunder of those around them. (For a whole post related to Israelite warfare check out my post about God’s command to Utterly Destroy)

And indeed God protected Jacob and his family by causing all his enemies to be terrified (Exodus 15:16; 23:27; Deuteronomy 2:25; 11:25; Joshua 2:9; 1 Samuel 14:15).

I just want to take a brief moment to recognize the importance of Deborah. It is worthwhile to notice that the memory of her life of faithful service and of the mourning over her death has been accounted worthy to be preserved in the word of God. Some might think she was just a handmaid, but her death has been recorded int he word of God. Her love and dedication did not go unnoticed.

Jacob arrives and, obeying God, he builds and altar. Just like he did at other times, like his father Isaac (Genesis 26:25) did and like Abraham did (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:18). And God appears to him and renews His promises, the same promises made to Abraham, and Isaac (Genesis 35:11 cf. 12:2-3; 17:6; 35:12; cf. 12:7; 26:3).

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. 11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. 12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. 14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. Genesis 35:9-15 NKJV (Bold mine)

Jacob must have experienced an emotional roller-coaster. Rachel, his favorite wife was pregnant again! Benjamin would be the only son of Jacob to be born in the land of Canaan. The fact that he was born in Canaan is a testimony to God keeping His promises to Jacob. Sadly, Rachel died due to labor complications. She was buried south of what would become Jerusalem and north of what would become Bethlehem. The fact that Rachel was buried in the promised land also shows God’s fulfillment of His promise. Indeed that land would belong to the children of Jacob, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior would walk on that land, healing and teaching. Jesus would eventually die and rise again not too far from there. Right now Jacob probably feels a mix of pain and joy, a confusion of emotions. Jacob probably had many questions for God. I doubt Jacob would be able to understand that Jesus would bring salvation to all of humanity and how he would be born of his sons. The Messiah would be his descendant, but also the Son of God. Even in the midst of what must have been a terribly painful event for Jacob, the mention of the location points forward to the salvation of the planet. I take this to be a reminder that even in the pain God is still in control. We may hurt and the reasons may be unclear, but we can trust that God is in control and that He is able to bring some good out of if.

But for now, Jacob was probably feeling far away from God, confused as to why his wife had died. He not Jacob obeyed God? Had not Jacob built God an altar? Where was God now? Didn’t God care? It is difficult to understand and to believe that God loves us when He does not behave the way we expect Him to, and especially when we are in pain.

But things will get worse…

Because of Ruben’s incest he lost his birthright and Joseph received a double blessing (Genesis 48:5-20; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2;). That is why Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh are considered sons of Jacob.

Jacob is finally reunited with Isaac, his father. This completes God’s promise to bring Jacob back to his father’s house (Genesis 28:15,21).

At the death of the patriarch Isaac, Jacob takes his father’s role in the promised land (Genesis 37:1). Everything is going according to the blessings and promises God made to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. With this transition complete, the future stretches forward, though we can already see the dark clouds foreshadowing a coming storm.

[thotsonthebible]

Holiness

I Peter 1.15-16

…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'

When I was a young teen, my father decided that we should attend a church with strict outward appearances.  The men dressed 'plain'; the women wore prayer coverings, dresses that fell to mid-calf, with high necks and sleeves that buttoned below the elbow; and jewelry and makeup were absolutely forbidden.  I can clearly recall the male Sunday School teacher for the teen class standing directly in front of me and lecturing about the evils of makeup—and there I sat with lipstick and a touch of mascara, the obvious target of the 'lesson'. Yet one of the single congregants was pregnant by the preacher's brother.  It was that sort of thing that put me off religion.

As those of you who have been reading this blog know, I've had many problems with organized religion over the years.  And, frankly, when I think of 'holiness', the first thing that pops into my mind is 'holier-than-thou'.

But God has commanded us to be holy, and that surely is not what He had in mind.

So what does it really mean to be holy?

Is it a set of rules for outward appearances to put on a good show and impress the 'heathens'? Is it sitting in a pew every Sunday?

I've struggled with the concept of holiness, so I decided to see what the Bible considers 'holy'.

The first thing I noticed was that holiness is not confined to people.  Many different things are described as being 'holy' or 'holy to the LORD': anointing oil, the Sabbath, fruit, livestock, even pots and pans. Here are some examples:

And you shall say to the people of Israel, 'This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.  …and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy…  —Exodus 30.31-32 (ESV)

Six days work shall be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD.  —Exodus 31.15 (ESV)

And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD.  —Leviticus 19.24 (ESV)

But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy…  —Numbers 18.17 (ESV)

But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD. —Joshua 6.19 (ESV)

So what do all these things have in common?  What qualifies them as being 'holy'?  Every one of those things is dedicated to the Lord, set aside for His use!

It seems that I was mistaken about the definition of holiness.  It has nothing to do with religiosity, but with being dedicated to the Lord, set apart from the world.

There are are many verses telling Israel—and us!—that we must be holy, for our God is holy.

For I am the LORD your God.  Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.  —Leviticus 11.44 (ESV)

For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God.  You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.  —Leviticus 11.45 (ESV)

'Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."'  —Leviticus 19.2 (ESV)

You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.  —Leviticus 20.26 (ESV)

Notice that in that last verse, God specifically says that He has 'separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.'  Separated, set apart for God.

Consider, too, that when we become believers, the Spirit of God dwells in us and we are temples of the Holy Spirit.  I don't think we truly understand the importance of this, the impact it has—or should have—on our lives.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord.  'And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty.  —2 Corinthians 6.14-18 (NASB)

I think this becomes increasingly important as we approach the end of the age.  Short of becoming a recluse or joining a monastery, it is impossible to separate ourselves physically from the world, but we must not become part of its lawless society nor participate in the things of this world.

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.'  —Revelation 18.4-5 (ESV)

God is calling us to separate ourselves from this lawless world upon which His judgment and wrath are about to descend.  He is calling us to be a holy people, a people set apart for Him.

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours, mine, and ours_ created Sherly V Thomas.

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours, mine, & ours!_created Sherly V Thomas

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel the creator of love , is love , responsible for love, and gives love to all mankind._Sherly V Thomas.

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel, Our Heavenly Father yours, mine, and ours!_Sherly V Thomas.

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel , Our HEAVENLY FATHER yours, mine, and ours!_Sherly V Thomas Indian American Dezi artist

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel Our Heavenly Father yours, mine, & ours_Sherly V Thomas

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel ,Our Heavenly Father yours, mine, & ours_Sherly V Thomas Indian American Dezi artist.

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel our Heavenly Father yours, mine, and ours!_Sherly V Thomas

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours , mine, and ours! _artist Sherly V Thomas

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Dedicated to Almighty God of Israel yours, mine, & ours ! _ artist Sherly V Thomas

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Dedicated to the Almighty God of Israel our Heavenly Father yours, mine, and ours!_Sherly V Thomas