Genesis 39-40

January 30

Genesis 39-40

Fastened to the turban worn by Aaron the high priest was a gold plate engraved with the inscription “Holy to the Lord.” Every time the high priest prepared to go into the tabernacle he was reminded that what he was doing was “holy to the Lord.”

 “Holy” means devoted to God or set aside for God. The entire tabernacle was built as a holy place wherever they traveled. When the Israelites settled in a land they set up the tabernacle as a place set aside for the Lord or devoted to the Lord. They built it by God’s blueprint.

The high priest wore the names of each tribe on his ephod as he made the daily sacrifices. God was central to the camp and central to the lives of the Israelites. When they got up in the morning they could look toward the tabernacle and see the cloud of God’s presence over the Holy of Holies. After the sun went down, they could look toward the tabernacle and see a pillar of fire. They knew God’s presence was with them. They were set aside for God to reveal His presence and character to the world. They were a holy people.

When we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we become holy people. We are set aside for God. 1 Peter 1:15-16 and 1 Peter 2:4-10 describes the holiness of those who follow Jesus. Paul wrote; "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)

Just as the temple and all its furnishings were holy to the Lord, we are holy to the Lord. God wants to use us to reveal His presence, His grace, His love, His character to a lost and broken world. Go shine your light in your world today and remember you are “holy to the Lord.”  Reflect Him well.