Soon after the Israelites left Egypt, God gave them a whole law system that would that would keep them close to Him and separate His people from the rest of the nations. Most of these rules had to do with ones conduct: how to treat others, how to worship properly, how to manage crops, and so on. But occasionally, God was even concerned with how they looked. He was very specific about how the priests were to dress: White robe, blue tunic, ephod with 12 stones, turban with a gold band…these guys had a very specific uniform. And while the people weren’t as restricted, they too had commands about their appearance.
Lev 19:27 – “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.”
It seems kind of silly that God would care about how His people looked. After all, God doesn’t look at the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7, paraphrased). So why would he care about His people’s outward appearance? Well, God (through Moses) starts this section of commands by saying “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19:2). God wanted His people to be holy.
Something that is holy is special, set apart, different from the rest. Just like a holiday (holy-day) is special, set apart, and different from the other days, God wanted his people to be special, set apart, and different from other people. He wanted them to be different, act different, and even dress different so that even at a glance there was no mistaking who these people belonged to.
That was part of the Old Covenant which we are not under anymore. However, Peter informs us that even under the New Covenant we are to be special, set apart, and different. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Pet 1:15-16).
Are you noticeably different from the world? Do you look different? Do you act different? When someone first meets you do they think, ‘This person belongs to God’?
This week, be special, be set apart, and be different. This week, be holy, for He is holy.