Holiness Understood

Few things are misunderstood more than holiness.  It is a quality entirely foreign to this world.  In his fallen state man cannot conceptualize holiness, much less understand it.  A sinner trying to figure out holiness would be like a snail trying to comprehend the speed of a F-22 Raptor.  God does not act holy:  He is holy.  He stands alone in the universe as the only pure, righteous, and flawless being, holy in Himself.  Humans have no context for holiness of character or thoughts.  If we were to do a word association with "holy," perhaps common responses would include:  religious, serious, uptight, a saint or priest.  From a non-christian perspective, trying to think about holiness is like a person trying to fly by waving their arms.

The other night after dinner, we read something which shatters our misconceptions of what holiness is.  Neh. 8:8-12:  "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. [9] And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." [11] So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."

Before we consider the attributes of holiness, let us briefly observe the whole passage.  The book of the Law had not been read for many years, and the truth found soft hearts.  The people wept as they were convicted by the Law of God.  Yet because the day was deemed holy to the Lord, Ezra told the people they were not to mourn, sorrow, or weep.  Instead of grief there was great joy in Israel.  They feasted, shared of God's bounty, and rejoiced greatly "because they understood the words that were declared to them."  Thankfully as we read the word of God we have the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  We see Nehemiah, Ezra, and others fulfill this role as Christ later did in Luke 24:45 with His disciples:  "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."  A man cannot comprehend purity unless God reveal it to him.  In this simple passage there is much to aid us in our understanding of holiness.  More than a definition of holiness, we discover a wonderful description which aids our understanding of holiness.

"Holy" is defined in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as "sacred."  The Bible also tells us God is pure, righteous, and perfectly holy.  But what does that look like to our eyes?  Because the day was holy, the following instructions were given in the Nehemiah passage:

• They were forbidden to mourn or weep.  The people were told, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  For some reason we tend to think that holiness must be attended with an unhappy scowl.  Not so!  Consider the little we know about heaven:  there will be no crying, sadness, or sorrow.  Only what is holy can enter heaven.  Joy, rejoicing, profound happiness mark a life of holiness.

• The people were told to "eat the fat and drink the sweet."  The richest foods were to be eaten, and the most delicious drinks not to be denied.  It was time to break out the good stuff!  Almost all celebrations on earth involve food.  Our holidays are almost defined by the meals we have to commemorate them.  It is a foretaste of heaven as we gather with friends and family.  A trait of holiness is divine satisfaction and fellowship.  For believers this sweetness of communion has already begun, though only to increase as we are daily fashioned into the image of Christ and await our eternal glorification.

• Another command was the people were to send portions to those who had none.  This affirms the generous, compassionate, and giving aspects of holiness.  God champions the cause of the widow and orphan and helping those who have no means to repay.  While we know nothing but selfishness, God gives to those who have none.  We have no chance of salvation in ourselves, and Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost.  When the children of Israel were in the wilderness God provided manna from heaven:  for all who are dead in sins Jesus was sent as the Bread of Life.

• In the words of the Jewish leaders:  "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."  While the world is filled with confusion and noise, noise, NOISE, God speaks in a small, still voice.  The KJV says "Hold your peace..."  What goes with quiet better than peace?  The life of holiness is one filled with peace, peace that passes understanding.  A man can give only what he possesses, and we serve the Prince of Peace who is willing to give His peace unto us.  Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.  But grief is a product of sin.  Jesus willingly experienced this as well for our sakes that we might be permanently freed from it.

Though this was a brief exposition, may God clarify and increase our understanding of holiness so we might rejoice as the Israelites did.  How liberating it is to worship God in spirit and truth as we grow in our knowledge of God.  Did you know that holiness is beautiful?  May we sing with David in Psalm 29:1-2:  "Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. [2] Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."