Holy Ground
Read It Aloud: And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground (Exodus 3:5).
Ponder it Prayerfully: According to the Jameson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary, putting off the shoes in the days of Moses is similar to a man taking off his hat today. However:
the Eastern idea is not precisely the same as the Western. With us, the removal of the hat is an expression of reverence for the place we enter, or rather of Him who is worshipped there. With them the removal of the shoes is a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.
The holiness of God was a serious matter in the Old Testament days. It was not something to be joked with. Anyone except the high priest who entered the holy of holies in the Lord’s tabernacle or temple would die instantly. The priest himself could only enter in once a year, on the day of atonement, after purifying himself (Leviticus 16). Tradition holds that the priest went in with a rope tied to his leg, just in case he died in there. This tradition is unproved, but shows just how seriously the holiness of God was taken. Uzzah died instantly when he touched the ark of the covenant, because he was not a priest (1 Chronicles 13:9-11).
Is God as holy now, as He was then? Is His presence just as powerful, His holiness just as serious? Yes, it is (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). However, at the death of Jesus, the veil of the temple was torn in two, allowing access into the holy of holies. The temple veil was as thick as a man’s hand (Matthew 27:50-51, Mark 15:37-38). That signified the tremendous miracle that took place at the cross – vile, unrighteous men now could be made holy and righteous enough to have access to a holy God.
Be A Doer (James 1:22): Our “personal defilement,” our inherent filthiness, is washed away by the Blood of Jesus, and we are made as white as snow. No longer do we have to take off our shoes in His presence. Now, all we must do is confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord. When we are saved, we have access into holy ground.
Have you given your life to the Lord? Continue to serve Him, and remember that you are now His adopted child. You have access. You can stand on holy ground.
If you have not yet begun a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please consider doing it now. He paid a debt that you owed but will never be able to afford – and this debt was to the holy God in whose presence unholiness cannot dwell. Eternal death was your portion and destination, but Jesus changed that. Jesus’ death on the cross was in your place, and you do not have to die. You will face this holy God one day, and the only way you will live is if you are clothed in the righteousness that gives you access. Consider committing your life to Him. You will not regret it. Click here to take that step.
Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Pray it Personally: Father in heaven, I thank You for the gift of salvation. Jesus,thank You for the access that You purchased with Your Blood. You are my High Priest, and You intercede for me, so there is no need to worry. Let me never forget that I can come before You, God, with no fear, shame or guilt, because I am made righteous by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.
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