What Is The Difference Between The Holy And The Ordinary?

In Ezekiel 44:23, God tells the priests to teach people the difference between the holy and the ordinary. But what is the difference?

Scripture:       

Ezekiel, chapters 42-44; Revelation, chapter 22

Ezekiel 44:23 (CEB):

They must teach my people the difference between the holy and the ordinary, and show them the difference between clean and unclean.

Observations: Symbolic Passages, Concrete Teaching

The last chapters of Ezekiel have much in common with the Revelation. Both witnesses (Ezekiel and John) saw visions of what was to come. Ezekiel’s vision was directed to the return of the exiles to Jerusalem; John’s vision deals with God’s eternal kingdom. Both visions are full of symbolism – symbolism that was likely much more familiar to ancient readers than to us. I’ve referenced in previous posts that I believe people get too involved trying to “crack the code” of Revelation. Why would we do that? The goal is often to try to figure out when this will all happen.  However, Jesus said that “no one knows” (Matthew 24:36).

So why should we read these passages? Paul tells us that all Scripture “is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). That’s a good reason to read every part of the Bible!

As I was reading our passages for today, I was wondering where God would direct my attention. I feel that people get too focused on figuring out the symbolism. For that reason, I tend to shy away from reflecting on passages like these. That’s why I follow a reading schedule that forces me to read them.  From time to time, God uses something I haven’t noticed before to teach me something new.

The Holy and the Ordinary

Our passage from Ezekiel today discusses the delegation of responsibilities for Temple service. The Levites would keep charge of the sanctuary and the temple (Ezekiel 44:11).  On the other hand, the Zadokite priests would minister at the altar (44:15-16). Bible scholars present numerous theories and explanations for who the Zadokite priests were and the reason for this change in authority. But I want to focus on one statement, in the middle of God’s recounting of His rules for these priests: They must teach my people the difference between the holy and the ordinary, and show them the difference between clean and unclean.

God’s plan for His people had always been that they would be holy, as He is holy (see, for example, Leviticus 19:2). The story of the Old Testament shows us that they were not always holy; in fact, they often willfully disobeyed God’s commandments. Their disobedience led to their exile. Now, as God prepared them to return home, He made it clear that the priests had the responsibility to teach and lead the people in God’s way.

Application: The Difference Between the Holy and the Ordinary

God tells Ezekiel to tell the Israelites all that He is saying (Ezekiel 44:6). As we read through chapter 44, God clearly reminds the people – and us – that there is a difference between the “holy” and the “ordinary.” If we are tempted to ignore this – to assume that this only matters for “priests” – we should remember that God has called us to be “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Every believer is part of that royal priesthood! God’s call to be holy applies to all of us, and so does the challenge to teach people the difference between the holy and the ordinary.

So what is the difference? You can find all kinds of answers to that question. Different “streams” of Christian theology explain holiness in various ways. I’m part of the Wesleyan-Holiness branch of Christianity, which means that I believe that God has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to be holy as He is holy. Sin separates us from God (see “The Harsh Reality: How Sin Separates Us from God”). The good news is that God has provided a remedy for our sin problem! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV). Purifying us is part of the work that the Spirit does; as He lives in us, He cleanses us and leads us in God’s way.

In very basic terms, holiness means that we are set apart for God’s use, and we are cleansed and empowered for that us. Thus, the “holy” is different from the “ordinary,” because what is holy is set apart for God. The second part of Ezekiel 44:23 refers to the difference between “clean” and “unclean.” While those were ritual terms in the Old Testament, 1 John 1:9 shows that cleansing has a personal, spiritual application. We are called to be holy – set apart for God and walking in His way!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to cleanse us and empower us to live for You. Help us each day to walk in Your way. Lead us so that our words and our actions teach people the difference between the holy and the ordinary, and show them the difference between clean and unclean. Guard us against spiritual pride that causes us to forget that all of this is a gift from You. Help us to show Your grace and mercy to others, just as You have shown them to us. Amen.