Psalm 24:3 “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?”
Who can know the fullness of God’s holiness? Where is the scribe or priest who might be approved before the Lord most high?
Throughout time God has made clear the measure of His holiness. From the command for Moses to remove his sandals before the burning bush, to the restrictions at the base of Mt. Horeb, the presence of the Lord is not to be trifled with.
Why does the Lord command His presence to be revered?
One of the first reminders of God’s holiness was the separating of sinful man from the garden.
Genesis 3:24 “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.”
The tree of life is symbolic to the holiness of God. Jesus revealed that He is the Way, the Truth, and theLife, and the fruit that comes from Him is by way of the Holy Spirit. Mankind corrupted themselves by turning from truth to a lie and access to the Tree of Life became prohibited.
Sin separates man from God, just as Adam and Eve were separated from the garden, it creates a riff that is impossible for people to cross. The wickedness of the heart cannot stand before the holiness of God and so it remains in darkness.
When God lead Moses and the children of Israel to His holy mountain, He called up Moses and the 70 elders to see His glory and under His feet was a pavement of sapphire. The Exodus account says the Lord spared the 70 elders (Ex.24:11), and did not lay a hand on them. If it were not for Moses, all of Israel would have been consumed. Just like Jesus is for us, Moses was a type and shadow of the coming Messiah.
When God called Moses up again, He began to instruct him in how to build a tabernacle, a place where God could dwell among His people. Much like the way the elders were able to see God from a distance, the tabernacle provided a place near to God, but still veiled. The outer court was a place of sacrifice and washing, the inner court a place of offering and incense, while the Holy of Holies was where the Ark of the Covenant resided and upon it the mercy seat of God. Each separated with a veil, each restricted but to those approved.
No matter how defiled mankind has become, the Lord still wants to dwell among His people. Until Jesus came and removed the veil, the people could only see from afar.
Hebrews 9:11-12 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
As the great High Priest, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice. His blood was the perfect fulfillment of the law and whoever partakes of His body and blood will be consecrated before Him. Those once separated are now brought near, up to the mountain, in His presence.
Psalm 24:3-6 “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Once a sinner has been cleansed and purified by the Lamb of God, they may ascend God’s holy hill and enter into fellowship with Him. This is the heritage of those who have been made holy. The defiled are made clean. The outcast is brought in and has become united in God’s purpose. The guilty are now justified.
Jesus made a way.
Hebrews 10:19-22 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of kings and priests. The tabernacle and temple are now obsolete. God’s holy place is within His people for they have been purified and sanctified by the Lord himself.
Do you want to enter in? Do you want to dwell with the King of all creation?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will anoint you.
U.T. 