Jehovah M’kadesh Scriptile

Description

Jehovah M’kadesh: Revealing Comfort Through Sanctifying Power

This Scriptile image, “Jehovah M’kadesh,” seeks to visually represent the profound call to holiness found within Leviticus 20:7-8 (NKJV). The scene depicts a man engaging in a ritual washing of his hands, set within the context of an ancient courtyard. This act, while simple in appearance, carries deep symbolic weight, reflecting the core message of the scripture: “7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”

The Context of Levitical Holiness

Leviticus, as a book of the Pentateuch, is deeply concerned with the establishment of a holy people, set apart for God’s purposes. The laws within Leviticus address various forms of impurity and prescribe ways to maintain or restore a state of holiness. In the ancient Israelite context, holiness was not merely a matter of moral purity, but also of ritual cleanliness. The washing of hands, as portrayed in the image, reflects this emphasis on ritual purification. It was a physical action that symbolized an inward commitment to being set apart. The surrounding courtyard setting helps to place the act into an everyday setting, reminding viewers that the pursuit of holiness was to be a part of everyday life.

“Consecrate Yourselves”: The Call to Separation

The phrase “consecrate yourselves” speaks to the act of setting oneself apart, of dedicating oneself to God. It implies a conscious decision to relinquish those things that defile and to embrace those things that align with God’s character. In the context of Leviticus 20, this call comes amidst a series of prohibitions against various immoral practices. Therefore, the call to consecration is a call to moral and ethical separation from the practices of the surrounding pagan nations. The image of the washing of hands visually represents this separation, a symbolic cleansing from the defilement of the world.

“Be Holy, for I am the Lord Your God”: Reflecting Divine Character

The core of Leviticus’s message is that God’s people are to be holy because God is holy. This is not a call to unattainable perfection, but rather a call to reflect God’s character in our own lives. It’s important to understand that in the old testament, that because of the sin nature of man, that this holiness could only be obtained through the sacrificial system, that God implemented. That system was a forshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ. The phrase “I am the Lord who sanctifies you” emphasizes that God is the source of this holiness. It is He who empowers His people to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

“Keep My Statutes”: Obedience and Sanctification

The command to “keep My statutes” underscores the importance of obedience in the process of sanctification. Holiness is not merely a passive state, but an active pursuit. It involves diligently following God’s commands and living in accordance with His will. The statutes given in Leviticus provided a framework for how the Israelites were to live as a holy people. By obeying these statutes, they demonstrated their love for God and their commitment to His covenant.

The Enduring Relevance of “Jehovah M’kadesh”

While the specific rituals of Leviticus may have been fulfilled in the coming of Christ, the underlying principle of sanctification remains relevant for believers today. The call to “Jehovah M’kadesh” is a reminder that God desires His people to be set apart, to reflect His character, and to live in obedience to His Word. The image serves as a visual meditation on this timeless truth, encouraging viewers to examine their own lives and to pursue a deeper relationship with the God who sanctifies.