What other Bible passages emphasize reverence in God's presence? Exodus 3:5 – Foundational Call to Reverence “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Old Testament Echoes of Holy Ground • Genesis 28:16-17 – Jacob awakes at Bethel: “Surely the LORD is in this place… How awesome is this place!” • Joshua 5:14-15 – The Commander of the LORD’s army tells Joshua: “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” • Leviticus 10:1-3 – Nadab and Abihu destroyed for irreverent worship: “I will show My holiness to those who are near Me.” • 2 Samuel 6:6-7 – Uzzah struck down for touching the ark “for his irreverence.” • 1 Kings 8:10-11 – Priests cannot stand to minister when the glory cloud fills the temple. • Psalm 89:7 – “God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who surround Him.” • Psalm 99:1-5 – Nations tremble; the psalm twice urges, “Exalt the LORD… worship at His footstool; He is holy.” • Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 – “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God… let your words be few.” • Isaiah 6:1-5 – Isaiah’s vision of the thrice-holy God drives him to cry, “Woe to me… I am ruined!” • Habakkuk 2:20 – “The LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” New Testament Continuations of Reverence • Matthew 17:5-6 – At the Transfiguration the disciples “fell facedown in terror.” • Luke 5:8 – Peter falls at Jesus’ knees: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” • Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira fall dead; “great fear seized the whole church.” • Hebrews 12:28-29 – “Let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” • Revelation 1:17 – John: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.” • Revelation 4:8-11 – Four living creatures cry “Holy, holy, holy,” while elders fall down and worship. Shared Threads to Notice • God Himself marks out holy space; people do not define it. • Physical responses—silence, removal of sandals, falling facedown—flow naturally from recognizing His holiness. • Irreverence invites judgment, while humble awe invites deeper revelation of God’s glory. |
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