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Daily Bread - July 21, 2026 (The Third Day - Genesis 1:9-13)
Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one shall see the Lord.
Learning From Old Testament Examples
When the people of Israel were about to meet with God and hear the commands of the Covenant, God commanded Moses to sanctify the people. They were to get themselves cleaned up and take unto themselves the identity and consciousness that they had become the holy people of God (Exodus 19:6-22). God was leading them into His holy habitation, but they had to be willing to be a people different from all the other nations around them (Exodus 15:13).
After the tabernacle of God was erected, everyday the people witnessed how the only way anyone could go into the presence of God was if they were made holy. This was vividly displayed before them as they watched Aaron – the man God had anointed with His Holy Spirit – wash his body with water, put on the holy garments, and finally, the crown of glory which expressed his identity – and the identity of all Israel: “Holiness Unto The Lord” (Exodus 39:30).
When God was preparing Israel through Joshua to come into the land He had promised, Joshua commanded the people to sanctify themselves – or to see themselves as holy – because they were about to come into the presence of God, Who was going to do great wonders among them (Joshua 3:5). They were going to experience one of the great displays of the power of God as they walked through the midst of Jordan. What an awesome and terrible sight that would have been to pass through the Jordan River with a column of water on your right reaching unto the clouds and a dry river bed on your left. This moment was surely filled with the awesome presence and glory of God’s holiness!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
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