As we read the Hebrew & Christian narrative accounts of scripture we need to understand some background behind terms like sin and holiness which are very religious sounding words for people in our culture. They actually make quite a bit of sense as we unpack them. Let’s start with the word holy. The best way I can think of to approach this subject is to think about how certain relationships are special. A parent for example is special to us as children on many levels. Even children that were abandoned by their parents before ever knowing them desire deeply to be reconnected to them. Family is special on more levels than we can understand. When a daughter enters the father and daughter dance at her wedding, everyone who watches knows that there is a unique or special relationship that a daughter has with her Father. He was daddy to her. As I typed those words, tears entered my eyes because it is special. This is the root idea of holiness. God is holy because He is special in the purest sense of the word. There is no one like Him. Special relationships deserve respect. When God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush...

God said, Do not come near; put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. Also He said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

The book of Proverbs teaches that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning (starting point) of Wisdom.” Picture what people in the ancients would do in the presence of a King. They would throw themselves down at the feet of one in authority. Before we can experience a healthy, close and intimate relationship with God, as He desires us to, we must first acknowledge His uniqueness and respect how special that is.

He is one in authority and power and once this is acknowledged the relationship with Him is much sweeter. God will not leave us in the place of fear but we must begin with a healthy sense of fear and awe in order to appreciate where He wants to take us.