What the Idea of "Holiness" Means in the Bible

Summary

The script explores the concept of 'holiness' in the Bible, moving beyond moral perfection to describe God as the creative force of the universe. It uses the sun as a metaphor to illustrate God's power and purity, which is both life-giving and dangerous. The narrative delves into the Old Testament's emphasis on ritual purity to approach God's presence and the transformative encounter with holiness in the New Testament, where Jesus embodies God's holiness, healing and purifying through touch. It concludes with a vision of the world renewed by God's holiness, symbolized by a river of life.

Takeaways

• 📜 The concept of 'holy' in the Bible is multifaceted, signifying not just moral perfection, but also God's unique creative power as the force behind the universe.
• 🌞 The sun serves as a metaphor for God's holiness, being unique and powerful, yet also dangerous if one gets too close, illustrating the paradox of God's purity being both life-giving and destructive to the impure.
• 👣 The story of Moses and the burning bush introduces the idea of standing on holy ground and the intensity of God's presence, which requires reverence and caution.
• 🏛 In the Old Testament, the temple, and specifically the Most Holy Place, represents the epicenter of God's holy presence, a place of both divine proximity and potential danger.
• 🛡 Becoming 'pure' is essential in the Bible to approach God's holiness, encompassing both moral and ritual purity, with the latter involving separation from death-related impurities.
• 📚 Leviticus provides instructions for recognizing and rectifying impurities to restore purity, allowing individuals to re-enter God's presence in the temple.
• 🔥 The prophet Isaiah's vision introduces a new concept where a holy object, a burning coal, purifies instead of contaminates, transferring purity rather than impurity.
• 💧 Ezekiel's vision of water flowing from the temple signifies God's holiness moving outward, purifying and reviving the world, rather than requiring individuals to purify themselves to enter the temple.
• 🤲 Jesus embodies God's holiness and challenges traditional purity laws by healing the impure, transferring his purity to them, thus becoming a new temple of God's presence.
• 💧 Jesus' followers are described as having streams of living water, symbolizing the outpouring of God's holiness and life through them into the world.
• 🌏 The final vision in the Bible paints a picture of a new creation where the entire earth becomes God's temple, with God's holiness cleansing and reviving all of creation.

Q & A

What is the common understanding of the word 'holy' according to the script?

The common understanding of 'holy' is being morally good or perfect, often associated with God's moral perfection.

How does the script describe the concept of 'holiness' in the Bible?

In the Bible, 'holiness' is described as not only moral goodness but also as God's unique creative force behind the universe, making Him the one and only being with the power to create a world full of beauty and life.

What metaphor is used to explain God's holiness in the script?

The sun is used as a metaphor to explain God's holiness, highlighting its uniqueness, power, and its role as the source of life, similar to how God is seen as the creative force of the universe.

Why is the sun considered 'holy' in the metaphor?

The sun is considered 'holy' because it is unique within our solar system and is the source of all life on our planet, much like how God's holiness is seen as the source of the universe's life and beauty.

What is the paradox mentioned in the script regarding God's holiness?

The paradox is that while God's holiness generates life, it is also dangerous to those who are impure. His presence can be annihilating not because it is bad, but because it is so good and pure.

What biblical story illustrates the intensity of God's holiness?

The story of Moses and the burning bush illustrates the intensity of God's holiness, where Moses is told to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground and is instructed not to come any closer.

What is the significance of the Most Holy Place in the Israelite temple?

The Most Holy Place in the temple is significant as it is considered the hotspot of God's presence, indicating a high level of holiness and proximity to God's power.

Why is purity important in the context of approaching God's holiness?

Purity is important because being in an impure state while approaching God's holiness is dangerous. God's holiness requires purity to ensure safety and respect for His divine presence.

What is the difference between moral purity and ritual purity as mentioned in the script?

Moral purity refers to being morally good, while ritual purity involves separating oneself from anything related to death, such as diseased skin, dead bodies, or certain bodily fluids. Ritual impurity is not necessarily sinful, but entering God's presence in an impure state is wrong.

How does the script describe the transformation of Isaiah in the presence of God?

In the script, Isaiah is terrified in God's presence, fearing annihilation. However, a Seraphim touches his lips with a hot coal, which not only does not destroy him but also purifies him, removing his guilt and sin.

What is the significance of the water vision in the prophet Ezekiel's story?

In Ezekiel's vision, the water flowing from the temple represents God's holiness moving out into the world, making things pure and bringing life, in contrast to the idea of individuals having to become pure to enter the temple.

How does Jesus embody God's holiness according to the script?

Jesus embodies God's holiness by touching and healing people who are considered impure. Instead of their impurity transferring to Jesus, His purity transfers to them, healing their bodies, which is a fulfillment of the ancient visions in new and surprising ways.

What is the final vision of God's holiness presented in the script?

The final vision in the script, by John, presents a new world where the entire earth has become God's temple, with Ezekiel's river flowing from God's presence, removing all impurity and bringing everything back to life.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Concept of God's Holiness and Its Paradox

This paragraph explores the deeper meaning of 'holiness' as depicted in the Bible, beyond mere moral perfection. It describes God as the creative force of the universe, emphasizing His uniqueness and power. The metaphor of the sun is introduced to illustrate God's life-giving yet dangerous nature. The discussion moves to the Old Testament, focusing on the Israelite temple and the Most Holy Place, which symbolizes God's intense presence. The concept of purity, both moral and ritual, is introduced as a requirement for approaching God's holiness. The narrative includes stories from Moses and the burning bush, and the instructions given in Leviticus for maintaining purity. The paragraph concludes with a prophetic vision from Isaiah, where a searing coal purifies him, indicating a transformative encounter with God's holiness.

05:03

💧 The Expansion of God's Holiness Through Jesus

The second paragraph delves into the New Testament's perspective on God's holiness, with Jesus as the central figure. It discusses how Jesus, claiming to be the embodiment of God's holiness, interacted with people considered impure, miraculously transferring His purity to them. This act contradicts the traditional understanding of impurity transfer. Jesus is likened to the holy coal from Isaiah's vision, suggesting a new paradigm of purity. The paragraph also touches on the idea of Jesus and his followers becoming the new temple, through which God's presence would extend into the world, offering life, healing, and hope. It concludes with a vision from the book of Revelation, where the entire earth is transformed into God's temple, with a river flowing from God's presence to cleanse and rejuvenate all of creation.

Keywords

💡Holiness

Holiness in the script is defined as God's unique characteristic, not just moral perfection but also the creative force behind the universe. It is central to the video's theme, illustrating God's exclusive power and purity. The script uses the sun as a metaphor to explain the concept of holiness, emphasizing its life-giving yet dangerous nature when approached improperly.

💡Moral Goodness

Moral goodness is mentioned as a common understanding of 'holy,' implying righteousness and ethical behavior. In the script, it is part of the broader concept of holiness but not the whole picture. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of God's nature as depicted in the Bible.

💡Creative Force

The term 'creative force' is used to describe God's role as the originator of the universe, attributing to Him the power to create a world filled with beauty and life. This concept is integral to the script's explanation of holiness, showing God's active role in the creation and sustenance of all things.

💡Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech used to explain an idea or make a comparison, as seen with the sun representing God's holiness. In the script, the sun's uniqueness and power serve as an accessible way to understand the complex idea of God's holiness and its implications.

💡Impurity

Impurity in the script refers to a state of being that is not ritually clean according to biblical laws, which can be dangerous when in proximity to God's holiness. It is a key concept that highlights the need for purity to safely encounter God's presence, as seen in the rules for the Israelites and the temple.

💡Purity

Purity in the script is both moral and ritual, necessary for individuals to approach God without harm. It is a central theme showing the transformation needed to safely experience God's holiness, as illustrated in the story of Isaiah and the hot coal.

💡Moses

Moses is a biblical figure whose encounter with the burning bush introduces the paradox of God's holiness. In the script, his experience of standing on holy ground and being warned not to approach exemplifies the intensity and danger of God's presence to the impure.

💡Temple

The temple in the script represents the place where God's holy presence was believed to reside, especially in the Most Holy Place. It is a central location in the narrative, illustrating the concept of proximity to holiness and the associated dangers and requirements for purity.

💡Ritual Purity

Ritual purity is a specific state of cleanliness defined by biblical laws, separate from moral purity. The script explains that being ritually pure involves avoiding contact with death-related substances, which was crucial for the Israelites to enter the temple and encounter God's presence.

💡Leviticus

Leviticus is a book of the Bible that provides instructions for purity, including when and how the Israelites become impure and the steps to become pure again. In the script, it is mentioned as a guide for maintaining ritual purity in relation to God's holiness.

💡Isaiah

Isaiah is a prophet whose vision of being in God's presence and being purified by a hot coal introduces a new understanding of purity transfer. In the script, his experience demonstrates the transformative power of God's holiness, contradicting the usual rules of impurity transfer.

💡Ezekiel

Ezekiel is another prophet whose vision of water flowing from the temple and bringing life to the Dead Sea represents the extension of God's holiness to purify and revitalize creation. In the script, his vision is used to illustrate the ultimate goal of God's holiness spreading to transform the world.

💡Jesus

Jesus is portrayed as the embodiment of God's holiness in the script, with the power to transfer purity and healing rather than receiving impurity. His actions and claims redefine the temple and the way God's holiness interacts with the world, bringing life and transformation.

💡Living Water

Living water in the script symbolizes the life-giving and purifying power of God's holiness as it flows out from Jesus and his followers. It is a metaphor that connects to the visions of Ezekiel and the final vision of the new earth, representing the transformative and healing presence of God's holiness.

💡New Earth

The new earth in the script represents the ultimate vision of God's holiness, where the entire world is transformed into God's temple, and all creation is made pure and alive. It is the culmination of the themes explored throughout the video, showing the full extent of God's transformative holiness.

Highlights

The concept of 'holy' is not just about moral goodness but also God's role as the creative force behind the universe.

God's 'holiness' signifies His uniqueness and the power to create a world of beauty and life.

The sun is used as a metaphor for God's holiness, being a unique and powerful source of life.

The area around the sun is considered 'holy', reflecting the intensity and potential danger of approaching God's holiness.

Moses' encounter with the burning bush introduces the paradox of God's holiness being both life-giving and dangerous.

In the Bible, the temple's Most Holy Place is the epicenter of God's holy presence, signifying both life and danger.

Ritual purity is emphasized in the Bible as a state of separation from anything related to death.

Becoming ritually pure is not about sin but about being in a state appropriate for God's presence.

The book of Leviticus provides instructions for recognizing and rectifying impurity to approach God.

Isaiah's vision introduces the concept of a holy object transferring purity rather than impurity.

Ezekiel's vision presents God's holiness as a life-giving force that purifies and revitalizes the world.

Jesus embodies God's holiness, healing and purifying those He touches instead of being defiled by them.

Jesus and His followers are seen as the new temple, extending God's holy presence to the world.

Jesus' followers are described as having streams of living water, symbolizing the outflow of God's life-giving holiness.

The final vision in the Bible depicts a new world where God's holiness transforms all creation, removing impurity and restoring life.

The development of the concept of holiness from a dangerous proximity to a transformative and life-giving force is a central theme.

Transcripts

Jon: You've probably heard the word "holy" before

or at least sang it in a church song once or twice.

And for most people, this idea is really just connected to being a morally good person...

So… God is 'holy' because he's morally perfect.

Tim: Yeah, that is part of it...

but in the Bible the idea of 'holiness' is even bigger and more rich.

What it's really describing is how God is the creative force behind the whole universe.

He's the one and only being with the power to make a world full of such beauty and life.

And so all these abilities they may God utterly unique, which is the meaning of the word 'holy'.

A helpful way to think about God's holiness is by using the sun as a metaphor.

The sun is unique, at least within our solar system,

And its really powerful. Its the source of all this beautiful life on our planet.

And so you could say that the sun is 'holy'.

And you can actually take this metaphor even further

in that the whole area around the sun is also 'holy'.

Jon: Yeah because the closer you get to the sun the more intense it gets.

Tim: yeah, exactly. So that very power and goodness that generates all this life is also dangerous.

I mean the sun, if you get too close, will annihilate you.

And in the same way there's this paradox at the heart of God's own holiness

because if you're impure his presence is dangerous to you

and not because it's bad, but because its so good.

And so the first time we see this paradox of God's holiness, it's in the story of Moses and the burning bush.

Jon: So God tells Moses to take off his sandals because he's standing on holy ground.

And Moses covers his face in fear and God says

"hey don't come any closer". Its intense. likely that intensity of God's holiness

Tim: It's actually that intensity of God's holiness that's explored even more in the stories of Israel's temple

which was the main place where God's holy presence was located

and at the center the temple was this room called the Most Holy Place

it's the hotspot of God's presence.

and whether you're an Israelite living in the land around the temple

or a priest working right in the temple, you are in proximity to God's holy presence.

which is dangerous.

Jon: Yeah, this is a problem. So how is it supposed to work?

Tim: Well in the Bible the solution is that you need to become "pure".

Jon: So like being Morally Pure?

Tim: Yeah, and that's easy enough to understand...

...but the Bible spends a lot of time talking about another kind of purity

being Ritually Pure

which is a state where you separate yourself from anything related to death

like touching things like diseased skin, or dead bodies, or even certain bodily fluids.

all these make you impure.

And becoming ritually impure isn't necessarily sinful.

What's wrong is waltzing into God's presence when you're in an impure state.

And so that's why God gave the Israelites very clear instructions for knowing when they were impure...

steps to become pure, so that they could go into the temple again.

Jon: So that's what the book of Leviticus is about.

Tim: Right. But it doesn't stop there. This idea keeps developing

So later in the scriptures we find this really interesting story by a prophet named Isaiah.

And he has this crazy vision where he's in the temple

and he's right in God's presence. He's totally terrified.

Jon: Yeah. He knows the rules. He shouldn't even be in there.

And he's worried about being destroyed.

Tim: And then this crazy creature called a Seraphim.

Jon: Yeah, that is a crazy creature.

Tim: Totally. So it flies over with a hot coal.

And then it sears Isaiah's lips with the coal and says something really weird...

"Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for."

Jon: So this burning coal somehow makes Isaiah pure.

Tim: Yeah, its remarkable

because normally if you touch something impure it transfers its impurity to you.

But now here's this new idea where you have this coal,

this very holy and pure object, and it touches Isaiah

and it transfers its purity to him.

Isaiah is not destroyed by God's holiness, he's transformed by it.

I mean the implications of this are just huge.

But there's one more development, this time from another prophet, Ezekiel.

And he has this vision where he's standing at the temple

and he sees water trickling out from it.

And then that water turns into a stream

and then a grows into a deep river that starts flowing through the desert

leaving this trail of green trees behind it.

And then it flows into the Dead Sea making everything fresh and alive.

Jon: So, instead of becoming pure first and then going into the temple...

...here God's holiness comes out from the temple making things pure bringing them to life.

What does it all mean?

Tim: So, we don't know. Until we meet this man Jesus.

And he claims that he's fulfilling all of these ancient visions but in surprising new ways.

So Jesus, he went around touching people who are impure...

... people with skin diseases, a woman with chronic bleeding, or dead people...

and when he touches them, their impurity should transfer over to Jesus ...

... but instead, Jesus' purity transfers to them and actually heals their bodies.

Jon: Jesus is like that holy coal in Isaiah's vision.

Tim: Right. And Jesus claimed that he was the human embodiment of God's own holiness.

and that he and his followers were now God's temple

so that through them God's holy presence would go out into the world

and bring life and healing and hope.

And so this is why Jesus described his followers as having streams of living water flowing out of them.

Jon: So this is our part of the story where we find ourselves now, but where is it all heading?

Tim: so the last pages of the Bible end with a final vision about God's holiness...

This time it's by a guy named John.

And in his vision we see the whole world made completely new.

The entire earth has become God's temple.

And Ezekiel's river is there flowing out of God's presence,

immersing all of creation,

removing all impurity and bringing everything back to life.