Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the concept of holiness is central to understanding the relationship between God and His people. The phrase "Holiness to the Lord" is emblematic of this relationship, signifying dedication and consecration to God. This phrase is notably inscribed on the high priest's turban in the Old Testament, as described in Exodus 28:36-38: "You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. And it will be on Aaron’s forehead, so that Aaron may bear the guilt of the holy things that the Israelites consecrate as all their holy gifts. It will always be on his forehead, so that they may find favor before the LORD" .The imagery of a bowl stamped with "Holiness to the Lord" extends this concept of consecration to the realm of sacred vessels used in worship and offerings. In the context of temple worship, bowls and other vessels were integral to the rituals and sacrifices that formed the core of Israelite religious practice. These items, when marked with "Holiness to the Lord," would signify their exclusive use for divine service, setting them apart from common or profane use. The prophetic literature of the Old Testament also alludes to the sanctification of everyday objects in the eschatological vision of God's kingdom. Zechariah 14:20-21 envisions a time when even the most mundane items will be inscribed with "Holiness to the Lord": "On that day, 'HOLY TO THE LORD' will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the house of the LORD will be like the sprinkling bowls before the altar. Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts" . This prophetic vision underscores the transformative power of God's holiness, extending beyond the confines of the temple to encompass all aspects of life. The inscription "Holiness to the Lord" on a bowl, therefore, symbolizes the ultimate sanctification of the ordinary, reflecting the hope that all creation will one day be fully consecrated to God. In the New Testament, the theme of holiness is expanded to include the lives of believers, who are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the sanctification of the believer, urging Christians to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Thus, a bowl stamped with "Holiness to the Lord" serves as a powerful symbol of the call to holiness that permeates the biblical narrative. It represents the dedication of both objects and lives to the service and glory of God, reflecting the ultimate purpose of creation to honor its Creator. Nave's Topical Index Zechariah 14:20,21In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Nave's Topical Index Library A Triplet of Graces Letter Lii. To Nepotian. Solomon's Repentance The First Great Deception. The First Great Deception The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and ... Prayer. Things Unknown Choosing the Tens The Covenant Promise of the Spirit Resources What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is sovereign? | GotQuestions.org What are the strengths and weaknesses of the midtribulational view of the rapture (midtribulationism)? | GotQuestions.org Bowl: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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