Exodus 28:36-38

"Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD."

"Holy Unto The Lord"

Dear Friends,

Imagine what Aaron's turban must have looked like (and weighed!). No question about it, the clerical garb ordered by God was meaningful … and expensive!

Holy To The Lord. The church has always struggled with the idea of holiness. We've even had a "Holiness Movement" revival. Tragically, holiness became something we do rather than something we are. We humans don't like the idea of being utterly sinful and wholly lost, unable to contribute to our goodness or salvation. Paul said; "I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing. The good that I would, I do not. And the evil that I would not, that is what I do!" His reflection on those things brought him to the reality that Jesus would have to deliver him from the bondage of death (Romans 7:18-20, 24). If it is true that sin is ever with us (and who can deny that), then what does it mean to be "p;Holy Unto The Lord?"

First, Holiness is something which Christ does in us. It is His imputed righteousness and Holiness toward us and in us that sets us apart. It certainly isn't our own goodness (all our righteousness are as filthy rags! Isaiah 64:6).

Second, it is that He has set us apart. The declaration on Aaron's turban was "Set Apart unto The Lord". I don't deny that sanctification (right living, struggling against and winning the battle over sin in the Holy Spirit's power) is a part of holiness, but it is not at the core. What it means, primarily (see below) is to be "set apart". When Aaron stood before the people they could not help but be reminded that they were "set apart unto the Lord". It is something God did. He didn't ask His people if it was OK and He didn't ask them to do it. He declared that they were "Set Apart - Holy - unto the Lord". Oh that you and I would recapture that vision! We (collectively) are the temple of God. We are not our own - do not belong to ourselves - we are bought with a price: the suffering and death of God Himself taking our place and paying the price for our sins (1 Cor 6:19-20). Now comes the Lord and plants on our foreheads, in our hearts and in our mind: "Holiness Unto The Lord".

Third, because we are "set apart unto the Lord" the Holy Spirit comes and sanctifies us. His work is to equip us to serve the Master, to fulfill the purpose for which we were set apart. Ephesians 2:10 explains why we were saved, i.e. what we were saved unto. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He beforehand ordained that we should walk in them." That is the result of having been set apart by God. What are the good works he has ordained for you to walk in? Do you know how to find out? In part it is a matter of understanding how He has gifted you. You then seek to walk in the talents and gifts of God. You see, when He calls us to a good work, He also equips us for it. The most obvious way to find the specific good works ordained for me to walk in is to look at his equipping. That directs me to the works I am to walk in.

Holiness unto the Lord: made righteous by the sacrifice of Christ, set apart by Him for his purposes, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit to walk in the good works He has ordained for us to walk in.

"Lord Jesus, like Paul I have often failed to live a life worthy of the calling you have placed on my life as one of Your people. Still, I rejoice that you have a plan for my life in spite of my weakness and failure. Strengthen me that I might fully accomplish Your plan. Cause me to know those good works you have for me to do. Help me to remain faithful to you every moment, every hour of every day for all of my life - here and in eternity. Amen."

Bob Goldsby

The word "Holiness" used in Exodus 28:36-38 is the Strongs #6944 (Hebrew "qodesh{ ko’-desh}"and means: 1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness
1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness
1a1) of God
1a2) of places
1a3) of things
1b) set-apartness, separateness

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