R.C. Sproul "The Holiness of God"

Imagine the minds of the first hearers of the Christian message. How had they viewed God? Was Jesus presenting to them a radically different God from the One they had become familiar with? The impression one often gets from a casual reading of the Old Testament is of a God who is stern and swift to punish (Ezek. 18:4; Nah. 1:3). Those who worshiped God under the Older covenant, rarely did so with much intimacy. Usually there was a sense of trepidation and reluctance to fully know the God who could destroy with one breath those who brought Him displeasure (Lev. 10:1-3). The word so often used in the Bible to describe and sum up this awesome impression of God is- holy. To complement this study of the holiness of God, it is recommended that you obtain a copy of the modern classic work on the subject by Dr. R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God (Tyndale Publishers).

One of the most dramatic and clearest pictures of God's holiness occurs when Isaiah goes to the temple to mourn the death of King Uzziah. Here in the Book of Isaiah chapter six, the prophet suddenly and unexpectedly had an awesome encounter with the ALMIGHTY ONE...

1. What were the angels saying in the presence of God? (Isa. 6:1ff)

It's interesting to look at the Bible's use of repeating words. Often when God wanted to emphasize something to the Hebrew mind, He'd use the word twice.

2. What do you notice in the following references? Gen. 22:11; Gen. 46:2; Ex. 3:4; 1 Sam. 3:10; Mtt. 7:21-22; Mtt 23:37; Mr 15:34; Lk. 10:41; Lk. 22:31; Acts 9:4

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Sproul also notes the use of words twice in reference to Genesis 14:10. In the Hebrew the wording is- the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell into pit pits.

3. How does the N.I.V. translate 'Pit Pits'?

K.J.V.?

N.K.J.V.?

N.A.S.B.?

The problem is that these pits weren't just ordinary pits, they were pit pits. Sproul says

As you read through the Bible, you'll find the use of double words to emphasize their importance. Notice in the sayings of Jesus "Truly, truly," or "Verily, Verily," which indicate the truth about to be stated.

In the prophet's account of his encounter with God, he notes that the angels cry- Holy, holy, holy. To state something twice was to emphasize it. To state something three times was to make it absolute. This is extremely important to understand that God isn't just 'holy, holy', but 'Holy, holy, holy'. God is absolute holiness. The main attribute of God is His holiness.

4. If there is an emphasis in the Old Testament about God, what is it?

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Isaiah was a dignified priest and prophet who conducted himself according to the strictest requirements of the Law. Yet, when he saw God for the first time he cried. "Woe is me!".

5. What does this expression mean?

a) I'm a pretty cool dude.

b) I feel devastated, and as though I'm coming apart.

c) I'm a horse who needs to stop.

6. Why would he have said it?

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Looking at things from God's perspective can certainly make a difference on an individual. We can have self-developed theories about certain things but when confronted with God's outlook, our theories often disintegrate.

7. Refer to the following and write what you notice:

a) Dan. 10:5-9

b) Mtt. 17:1-6

c) Acts 9:1-4

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To see God's holiness is to begin to understand His greatness. When you begin to understand God's greatness you begin to understand that He is indeed 'Holy, holy, holy'. Some scholars have suggested that the Trinity can be referred to in the expression 'Holy, holy, holy'. When the angels look at the tri-une God they are simply ascribing holiness to each member. Once again the use of three is seen in the benediction of Numbers 6:24-26. Here Aaron is commanded by Yahweh (YHWH) to pronounce the tri-une blessing from the tri-une Lord.

8. When Isaiah came into the presence of the Holy One he immediately sensed his lack in one particular area of his life. What was it? (vs.5)

9. Isaiah was obviously very afraid. Do you think its right to fear God? Explain-

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The Bible says to fear God. Some have suggested this means 'to reverence' God. It does. Yet it means much more than that. It means to fear God. If you have an encounter with the holiness of God and you're not scared or experience healthy fear for even a fleeting second, perhaps your experience was not genuine.

Sproul pg 49-62

10. Give your understanding of holy-

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Holiness can mean 'separate' or 'set apart'.

11. In what sense is God separate or set apart and yet so close and near?

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12. In the Lord's prayer of John 17, what does Jesus call His Father in verse 11?

What does verse 15-16 mean?

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13. Is it possible to be too holy? Why/Why not?

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Just as with the Kingdom of God, Jesus was the ultimate expression of holiness. He was the express image of His Father (Heb. 1:3). He came and showed us that holiness wasn't disqualified by intimacy. While the Old Testament periodically referred to God as Father, it was always in the context of the exclusive community (Israel). But Jesus revealed God as the Father available to individuals. The two truths about God- His holiness and His nearness were brought together in Christ's statement-

Matt. 5:48

Jesus was the living example of this statement. He lived perfectly (holy) in an intimate relationship with His God as His Father. By emphasizing God's nearness (imminence) Jesus is no way detracted from God's awesome holiness.

14. Sproul describes God as being 'august'. What does this mean?

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The disciples caught several glimpses of the holiness and awesomeness of Christ. One such time is recorded in Mark 4:35-41, when Jesus calmed the storm.

15. In verse 41, what was their response to the glimmer of revelation they had just received?

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16. Another occasion is in Luke 5:1-9. What was Peter's reaction when he caught sight of a moment's revelation of Christ's holiness?

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In Revelation 1:12-17 we have a description of the resurrected Jesus. Note John's response in verse 17. Here, Jesus is clearly shown as the Holy One of God.

Is it unjust for God to punish anyone? Was it unjust of God and unfair of Him as well, to refuse entry back into Eden to Adam and Eve because of one little sin? Was it fair of God to destroy Sodom? Was it fair of God to destroy the world with a flood but save Noah and his family? Have you ever told God that He was unfair?

But why is God so strict? Note the Dictionary definition of 'strict' :

1) Observing or enforcing rules exactly; severe.

2) Containing exact or severe rules or provisions; exacting.

3) Rigorously enjoined, maintained, and observed.

4) Exactly defined, distinguished, or applied.

5) Complete; absolute: strict attention.

( Funk and Wagnalls)

God is strict. What He says He means! Notice the following: 2 Samuel 6:1-9 and Numbers 4:15- God means what He says! As you go through the New Testament, you'll find that the God who sent His only begotten Son into the world, was the same holy God who strictly enforced His Law in the Old Testament. Some have read bits of the Old Testament and then some of the New Testament and assumed that either it was talking about two different Gods, or God had a complete change of direction. But the New Testament in no way negates the holiness of God (1Pt. 1:13-16). Therefore some see an apparent contradiction in God's nature. How can He be the strict holy God who punishes with severity (Ezek. 18:4), yet is totally comprised of forgiveness and love (1Jn. 4:8)? The answer to this is found in Jesus. He satisfied God's demands for holy justice by being brutally slain for the sins of the world, yet in so doing, displayed God as the God of mercy, compassion and love who longs to forgive those who would turn from their sins.

Amen.