When we think about our relationship with God, we often focus on righteousness—how we behave in the world. But there's another crucial dimension that's frequently misunderstood: holiness.
This week, we'll explore what holiness truly means as we conclude our journey through the book of Exodus, examining how God established His presence among His people and what that means for us today.
What's the Difference Between Holiness and Righteousness?
Holiness and righteousness are often confused, but they're actually quite different:
Righteousness is about behavior—how we act in the world. It exists on a scale from injustice to justice to righteousness. It's about good deeds, good works, and walking in love.
Holiness, however, is about space—who's allowed access to God's presence and whether it's safe to be there. You don't "grow" in holiness; you either are holy or common (profane), clean or unclean.
An atheist can understand righteousness (doing right by others), but holiness makes little sense without belief in God. Holiness is almost like radiation—you can't see it, but you know when you've been exposed to it. God's presence is like a nuclear reactor: beautifully scary and powerful when approached correctly, but potentially deadly when disregarded.
Why Did God Create the Tabernacle?
After God rescued Israel from Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai, a practical question emerged: How would God's presence remain with His people after they left the mountain?
The answer came in the form of the tabernacle—a portable sanctuary where God would make Himself available to His people. The detailed instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25-31) and their fulfillment (Exodus 35-39) weren't arbitrary rules but a way for God to teach Israel how to approach Him safely.
The tabernacle served several important purposes:
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It provided a reliable space where God would be present
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It trained Israel to understand holiness
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It created a physical mapping onto a spiritual world they couldn't see
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It pointed toward something greater (as explained in Hebrews 8-9)
How Did God Establish His Covenant with Israel?
In Exodus 24, we see God establishing His covenant with Israel through three key elements:
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His voice - The people heard God speak
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His appearance - The elders saw God (though the text is careful about describing Him)
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Blood - The covenant was sealed with blood on both God's altar and the people
This pattern would later be fulfilled in Jesus, who revealed God through His words and presence, and sealed a new covenant with His blood.
The Israelites participated in this covenant by agreeing to God's terms: "Everything the Lord has said, we will do." They accepted God's definition of how to relate to Him.
What Can We Learn from the Tabernacle's Design?
Though we don't need to build a physical tabernacle today, the instructions reveal important truths about approaching God:
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The tabernacle contained images of cherubim (spiritual guardians) to help "sanctify Israel's imagination"
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A perpetual lamp that never went out, reminiscent of the Tree of Life
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The priest's ornate robes with bells (so others would know if he died in God's presence)
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Special anointing oil and incense that could only be used in the tabernacle
All these elements trained Israel to recognize that even though they couldn't always perceive God's presence, He was there—and approaching Him required reverence and preparation.
How Does Jesus Fulfill the Tabernacle's Purpose?
The book of Hebrews explains that the tabernacle was a "copy of heavenly things" (Hebrews 8:5). It was temporary, with temporary priests and sacrifices.
Jesus, however, is our permanent high priest who offered a once-for-all sacrifice in the true holy place—heaven itself. Through Him, we now have direct access to God's presence.
Life Application
If we've been drawn into the presence of a holy God through Jesus Christ, how should we respond?
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Draw near to Jesus on His terms. The gospel isn't a sales pitch or bargaining; it's an invitation to come to Jesus as He is—gentle yet authoritative.
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Beware of casual attitudes toward holiness. Just as it would be foolish to enter a radioactive area without proper training or equipment, we shouldn't approach God casually or impatiently.
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Remember that God's instructions are for our good. His commands aren't arbitrary but designed to help us experience His presence in a way that benefits rather than harms us.
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Appreciate the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant, Jesus offered Himself once to bear our sins and give us permanent access to God.
Questions to Consider:
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In what ways have I been approaching God casually, without proper reverence for His holiness?
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How might my understanding of God change if I better appreciated both His righteousness and His holiness?
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What spiritual disciplines help me draw near to God on His terms rather than mine?
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How can I better appreciate the privilege of access to God's presence that Jesus has secured for me?
This week, commit to approaching God with both the confidence that comes from Christ's work and the reverence that His holiness deserves. Remember that God didn't rescue you and make you holy so you could go about your business and ignore Him—He did it so you could draw near.