What Makes You So Special?

Holiness is a very big deal to God! That’s because he is holy, and so that you could be his very own, he has made you holy, too. Think about this: God chose you, called you and consecrated you to a life of holiness, which in turn, makes you a part of a royal priesthood—perhaps not vocationally, but for sure, spiritually. And while the world may have convinced you that this idea of holiness is dull, it’s anything but. It’s what makes you God’s special possession.

The Journey // Focus: Leviticus 8:12

Then Moses poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, anointing him and making him holy for his work.

The ordination of Aaron as high priest over Israel and his sons as priests was a spectacular moment in the establishment of the worship practices of Israel. Not only was it a holy moment for Aaron and his sons, and not only was it a memorable experience for the nation, which would need holy men to mediate the presence of God on their behalf, but it was a very serious moment for God. So serious was his intentions for the priesthood that he told Aaron,

Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days. What has been done today was commanded by the Lord to make atonement for you.  You must stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded.” (Leviticus 8:33-35)

So holy was this moment—and the words of warning that God gave to Aaron—that we are told, “Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses.” (Leviticus 8:36) Unfortunately, the very day after their seven days of ordination were complete, two of Aaron’s sons “offered unholy fire on the altar” and the holy anger of the Lord struck the offending priest, and they died instantly in the presence of Aaron and Israel.

Sad story, yet what a solemn reminder of not only the holiness of God, but the seriousness with which he treats the priesthood. Now that might sound a bit ominous, but the idea of seriousness is not only a negative, but a positive. God established the priesthood that his people might be brought into and kept in a close, loving and intimate relationship with him. And what has been clearly seen so far in Exodus and Leviticus is that intimacy with God requires the mediation of his holiness: God is holy, his people must understand this, and they must both live in holiness unto the Lord and approach his presence in holiness. It was this very holiness that the priests were to represent and ensure through their lives, their roles and the sacrifices that they ritually performed for themselves and the people.

Now here is the deal: God desires that all of his people—that includes you and me—live in holiness and help others to both understand and approach God in holiness,

Seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings…You have not had to stand face to face with terror, flaming fire, gloom, darkness, and a terrible storm as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai when God gave them his laws. …But you have come right up into Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the gathering of countless happy angels; and to the church, composed of all those registered in heaven; and to God who is Judge of all; and to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven, already made perfect; and to Jesus himself, who has brought us his wonderful new agreement; and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance. (Hebrews 12:14-15, 18, 22-24

Yes, God established a vocational priesthood in Israel, and yes he has established priestly roles for the new community in the office of bishop and pastor, but would to God that all his people represent his holiness to their fellow believers and to the world. Consider two passages, one from the Old Testament and the other from the New, that give us a glimpse into the heart of God.

Exodus 19:3-6 says that when Moses went up to the heights of Mt. Sinai, God spoke to him these amazing words concerning his purpose in delivering Israel from Egypt: “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter refines the words spoken on Mt. Sinai to Israel and now applies them to God’s new community, the church: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

God chose you to be his. He called you to serve him. He consecrated you in righteousness. He so treasures you that he has placed upon you a calling both to be holy and to declare his holiness to believers and non-believers alike in a way that invites them into a loving and intimate experience of God.

What makes you God’s treasured possession? He chose you, called you and consecrated you. According to Peter, that makes you and me pretty special indeed.