What other scriptures emphasize the need for holiness in approaching God? Approaching God in 2 Chronicles 5:11 “Now all the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions.” (2 Chronicles 5:11) The priests did not rush into the temple in everyday attire; they deliberately set themselves apart. Holiness—being clean, distinct, and devoted—was the non-negotiable prerequisite for entering God’s presence. Old Testament Snapshots of Required Holiness “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’” – Even the clothing had to be washed before the Sinai encounter. Physical cleansing pointed to inner purity. “Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD has spoken: “I will show My holiness to those who are near Me, and I will reveal My glory before all the people.”’ And Aaron remained silent.” – After Nadab and Abihu’s unauthorized fire, God underscores that anyone who draws near must honor His holiness. “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, because I am holy… I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” – Redemption leads to a lifestyle that mirrors God’s own character. “You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.” – The high priest literally carried a visible reminder of separateness when he entered the Holy Place. “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol or sworn deceitfully.” – The psalm narrows the worshiper’s qualifications to moral integrity. Seeing God’s Holiness Up Close “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills all the earth!… Then I said: ‘Woe to me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips.’” – Even a prophet, overwhelmed by God’s thrice-holy nature, is painfully aware of impurity. New Covenant Continuity: Holiness Still Required “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Christ’s blood grants access, yet the worshiper is still to come purified—cleansed within and without. “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” – Holiness is indispensable, not optional. “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” – Peter lifts the Leviticus command straight into Christian living. “Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” – Promise and purity walk hand in hand. Living the Lesson from 2 Chronicles 5:11 The priests’ consecration signals a timeless truth: entering God’s presence—whether in temple courts, daily prayer, or gathered worship—requires a heart set apart. From Sinai’s washings to Isaiah’s vision and from the cross to the throne of grace, Scripture draws one continuous line: holiness opens the way to draw near to the Holy One. |
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