HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL

The holiness of God is more than the absence of any evil. As ‘God is light, and in him is no darkness at all’ so God’s holiness is the presence and brilliant display of every moral beauty. In contrast to false gods whose worship was morally unclean, the Holy One of Israel demanded moral consistency in His people’s walk and worship.

This title comes into use in David’s time. Although blemished himself, David was a man after God’s own heart. His deepest longings mirrored God’s. No wonder he praised God’s truth and sang to the Holy One of Israel, Ps. 71.22. Sharing God’s thoughts and praising God’s holiness are inseparable.

By centralizing the worship of Jehovah in Jerusalem, thus uniting his throne with God’s temple, David emphasized the uniqueness of the Holy One of Israel. This blessed people knew festal joy as they walked in the light of Jehovah’s countenance, Ps. 89.15. Rejoicing in His name, they would be exalted through expressing His righteousness in their lives, v. 16. Their strength and supremacy came from Jehovah, v. 17, because their defence was likewise from Him, v. 18.

As long as Israel’s walk and worship were morally consistent with His holiness, they prospered. Eighty percent of the occurrences of this title, the Holy One of Israel, are in Isaiah. There, the title has a voice both for Israel and for her enemies. The Holy One of Israel exposed their sinfulness, as He did Isaiah’s in chapter 6. This title also recalls the nation’s wilderness provocation, Ps. 78. 41. Yet, the Lord’s holiness demanded the recovery of this sinful people. The Holy One of Israel would discipline them, Isa. 5. 24. At length, He will effect moral consistency and bring Israel to joy and glory with the universal testimony, ‘great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee’, 12. 6. To accomplish this He will eventually defend His people; He will finally destroy those nations who have opposed and trampled them, Isa. 47. 4.

Our relationship with this holy God calls for holy living, 1 Pet. 1. 14-17. This distinctive holiness will produce effective testimony, joyous living, true beauty, and eternal exaltation.