Respect For Things Holy
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former
lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 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." (1 Peter 1:14-16).
One characteristic of God often ignored by folks in general today is His
holiness, and His requirement of us to be holy as well. We must approach God
with reverence to be acceptable before Him. This has always been the case. He
told Israel long ago, “'For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of
Egypt, to be your God; thus you shall be holy for I am holy." (Leviticus 11:45).
In fact, if you'll notice, the first four of the ten commandments deal
specifically with treating God as holy by living holy ourselves (Exodus
20:3-11).
The promise had been given to Israel that after they entered the promised land
of Canaan, that if they would keep God's commandments He would bless them, but
if not, they would be cursed. Israel would suffer horrendously in the future
because of their lack of regard for the holiness of God. To profane things which
God has declared “holy” is a sin, then as well as now, whether it be the
Scriptures, marriage, church, worship or behavior. It would do well for the
church, or spiritual Israel, not to make the same mistakes Israel of old did.
Israel's Lack of Respect for God
Israel's problems began with their disobedience. To protect Israel from the evil
influences if idolatry and other pagan practices, God had commanded them to
drive the other inhabitants completely out of the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy
7:1-5). Israel got lazy and did not do so. The commandment was easy enough to
understand. They were to make no covenant with the idolaters. The Lord said if
they did not do this, they would succumb to idolatrous practices and be led
astray. Israel did not take this warning seriously enough, that is, they did not
treat God's word as holy. Consequently, the future of Israel would show numerous
digressions into apostasies, idolatry, disloyalty, immorality and ultimately the
consequences of destruction and captivity.
Israel had been forbidden to follow after other gods (Deuteronomy 7:5). But,
they began to live by the code of “I do what I think I want to do” rather than
“I do as the Lord directs.” (Judges 21:5). Sounds much like prevailing attitudes
today! Many grow to adulthood today completely ignorant of righteous principles
of honesty, integrity and consideration for others. The parents have tremendous
effect of future generations, good or bad (Judges 2:10).
The children of Israel had also been forbidden to intermarry with idolaters
(Deuteronomy 7:3,4). Again, they did not treat God's word as holy. Again, the
consequences were apostasy, sin and destruction.
Today, the will of God deserves no less respect than it did then, but sadly, our
nation holds His teachings and commandments with about the same level of respect
as Israel of old did. Who can look at this nation's divorce and remarriage
situation, often in direct violation of God's holy word (Matthew 19:4-6;9) and
think otherwise? On Israel, they began to think all gods were more or less
equal. That's the sentiment often expressed today as well. The Dali Lama is not
Jesus; he is not in the same category, but many believe him to be (John 14:6).
To put Mohammed, or Buddha, or any other religious leader on equal footing with
Christ is to treat the Son of God with contempt.
Israel Did Not Respect Holy Men
“Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who
plundered them. And yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the
harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside
quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the
commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers.” (Judges 2:16,17).
What a striking parallel! These judges were calling the people back to God, and
speaking the truth. But often the truth of God is not popular with man. If you
take your stand for the truth, then you will be unlikely to win a popularity
contest, but you will please God and He will take care of you.
We need holy men and women today to serve the Lord faithfully and fully. Holy
men need to step forward and prepare themselves to become elders of local
churches, dedicated to leading them according to God's revealed word (Acts
20:28; Hebrews 13:17). We need holy disciples who will follow the lead of godly
elders that the church may prosper. We need holy preachers and teachers who will
proclaim the truth in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 2:15). We
need holy disciples going about and teaching God's word everywhere, urging all
to treat God as holy (Acts 18:26; 8:4).
Israel Did Not Have Respect For Worship
The sons of Eli became priests in Israel, but had no respect for the holiness of
God, their own positions, nor the commandments of God ( 1 Samuel 2:12-16;
17:22-25; 29). They did evil as they sacrificed to the Lord. They cared little
for God and His will. They refused to honor God, and were dishonorable men
themselves. They had betrayed the trust God had placed in them. They were and
will be judged.
We need to understand that our worship, too, has been regulated in the word of
God. To treat worship as holy is to obey God's instructions concerning it. There
is a difference in worship and every day activities. Some churches, to attract
crowds, have changed the work and worship of the church from what God commanded
to something more in line with common things. Their might be entertainment,
drama, musical shows, fairs, carnivals, games and even gambling. Some will
involve the church in politics, or in gambling. Some have sponsored beer tents.
The Lord spoke of this same thing happening during Israel's days and through
Ezekiel said, "Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My
holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and
they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they
hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel
22:26). When we do similar things today, we also “do violence” to God's law and
“profane” (make common) His holy things.
It is time we treat God as holy, and never regard His will with anything less
than careful consideration and obedience.
By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 14.6; June 2007
