Exodus 39:30 They made the medallion for the holy crown of pure gold, and they wrote on it an inscription like the engraving on a seal: “Holy to Jehovah.”
Recently I noticed the verse above as I was reading. The thought is not new, but I meditated again on the concept of wearing (as a priest under the Gospel) a sign on my head that proclaims that I am Holy. And my holiness is for the Creator, the King, the Savior.
I have sometimes wondered how people recognize a follower of the Living God. On more than one occasion, as I worked as a nurse in long-term care, I had a nursing aide who would get so upset that she began swearing and taking the name of the Lord in vain. After the worst of the words were out she said on these occasions “Please excuse my language.” Even though she should have been asking God rather than me, she at least said something to acknowledge her inappropriate talk. I wondered then and now whether she somehow saw a medallion on my head which said “Holy to Jehovah.”
People can be very perceptive sometimes. This possibility also makes me hesitant about doing something in public which will be seen as unholy. I trust you have the same concern for how others perceive you.
Ezekiel 20:12 Also, I instituted my Sabbath for them as a sign between me and them, so they would know that I am Jehovah, who has set them apart (or sanctified them).
As I considered the verse in Exodus 39, the second verse came to mind. If the Sabbath is a sign between God and man, and if God has set us apart, then the Sabbath is also a sort of medallion on my head, proclaiming, “I am keeping the Sabbath Holy to Jehovah.” Perhaps the perceptive worldling can see this sign on me also.
I believe it is difficult to fool the people who live and work around us. If I consider myself “Holy to Jehovah,” it is going to become obvious. If I am keeping the Sabbath intentionally differently than I keep the other six days of the week, that also is going to become obvious. If I enjoy keeping God’s day as accurately as I am able, perhaps that too will be obvious to others. I trust that it will.
Shabbat Shalom!
Lewis
