Jehovah-mekoddishkem

In the Hebrew language, the words sanctify, set apart, and holy are derived from the word qadash. We find this root word used in the name that we will study in this Devotion for our heavenly Father, Jehovah-mekoddishkem.

In Exodus 31:12-13, 16-17, God instructs the children of Israel concerning the Sabbath day and the significance of sanctifying or setting apart a day of rest and worship.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.'" (NIV)

In this passage we discover the Lord sanctifying or setting apart, not only a day, but the Israelites themselves as His very own people by instructing them to observe the Sabbath. Notice in verse 17 that the covenant was between the Lord and the Israelites forever. God was telling them that they were His people, a set-apart people, a holy people. They were to look different and act differently from all the other peoples of the land.

Repeatedly in the New Testament we are told that the blood of Jesus sanctifies us and sets us apart. Because of Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross for you and me, we are to look and act different, even peculiar, from the those who do not call themselves Christians.

How should we, with the help of Jehovah-mekoddishkem, look differently than those who are not Christians? Consider a few suggestions for a set-apart life:

• Observe a Sabbath. This means more than simply going to church. It means taking time to rest, reflect on the Lord, and worship Him.
• Offer a simple prayer of thanks before meals.
• Listen to music that encourages you in your Christian walk.
• Choose your close friends carefully. Are they encouraging you and holding you accountable in your walk with Christ?
• Be very selective regarding television programs and movies that you watch. You may feel that you can ‘handle’ foul language or adult content, but why take that chance. Remember the children’s song that says, ‘be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear’?
• Make certain that the words that come out of your mouth are acceptable to God. Turn Psalm 19:14 (NIV) into your personal prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
• Dress with discretion. Less is not more when it comes to clothing.
• Be very careful not to place yourself in compromising or questionable situations. Shun the very appearance of evil!
• Keep your tongue free from gossip and backbiting.
• Tell the truth. Speak it in love, but tell the truth.
• Be trustworthy and reliable.
• Spend time each day talking to the Lord and reading His Word. He desires to direct and guide your life, but we have to listen and obey.

God is not interested in you and me looking like everyone else in the world. He expects us to look, sound, and act differently than those who are not Christians. He expects us to be a sanctified or ‘set apart’ people.

So, I ask you ... in what way do you look different or peculiar because of Jesus living within you? When the unbelieving world cruises around your life, do they consider you to be odd or peculiar because you are allowing Jehovah-mekoddishkem to sanctify you through and through or do they wonder what the big deal is about being a Christian because you look no different than anyone else?

God desires to sanctify us, to set us apart, but He requires our cooperation. We must make the choice to live a sanctified life. Are you making that choice? 

Copyright © 2010 Leah Adams. Used by permission.