Day 9: Answering His call to Holiness

BLESSING FOR COUNTING THE OMER:

Baruch ata Adonai, ELOHEYNU melech ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu bidvarecha v’tzi-va-noo al sifeerat ha-omer.

Blessed are you, O Adonai our GOD, King of the universe Who has sanctified us by your Word and commanded us concerning the Counting of the Omer.

Today is nine days, which is one week and two days of the Omer.

"For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." Leviticus 11:45

God powerfully and beautifully reveals the core of His law at its highest point: "Be holy, because I am holy."  Historically, it was delivered to the Israelites at Mount Sinai shortly after their redemption from Egyptian slavery. It isn't just about moral perfection but about separation. The Hebrew word Kadosh means to be "set apart" or distinct. God is distinct from His creation, and He calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding pagan nations. By grounding this command in the Exodus—the act of bringing them "up out of the land of Egypt"—God reminds them that His call to holiness is not a burden to earn His love, but a response to the grace He has already shown.

The call to Holiness, the command "be holy, because I am holy" is a central theme in the book of Leviticus:

 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” Leviticus 19:2

 “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine” Leviticus 20:26.

This is reiterated in the Brit Chadashah where Apostle Peter encourages believers to live holy lives in all their conduct based on this Torah principle: “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15–16

“And the men of Beth-shemesh said, ‘Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up from us?’” — 1 Samuel 6:20

We see this clearly in 1 Samuel 6 when the Ark of the Covenant—the throne of God’s presence—returns from Philistine captivity. When the people of Beth-shemesh treat the Ark with irreverence, they are struck with a sudden, sobering realization of God’s "otherness." Their cry, "Who is able to stand before this holy God?" mirrors the gravity of the Exodus. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt to be His own, He reminds us here that His presence is not something to be taken lightly but a sacred reality to be revered.

This redirects my attention from simply "following rules" to "belonging to Him." I have often struggled with wanting to fit in or find my identity by the world’s standards, but here I am reminded that I have been "bought with a price" and set apart for a God who is completely unique. His holiness isn't a barrier meant to keep me away; it is the very reason His grace is so profound. My "Egypt", the places of sin and bondage, no longer defines me. Instead, I am defined by the One who invited me into His presence.

Holiness is not an impossible demand; it is an invitation to intimacy with the only One who is truly pure. To reflect God's character and live out this call to be "set apart," one must be consistent in practicing intentional separation: by identifying "unclean" influences—such as specific types of media, a cynical attitude, or habits—and set them aside to create more space for God's voice. One must be intentional to live as a "Mirror": aiming to reflect God’s kindness, justice, and mercy in the workplace or community, demonstrating that you belong to a different "kingdom." By approaching everyday activities—such as eating, working, or resting—as acts of worship performed with excellence and gratitude, acknowledging God’s presence in every detail, we make even the simplest tasks meaningful and sacred. Maintaining consistent, small, non-negotiable habits to make lasting changes and build long-term success Gevurah of Gevurah (Discipline/Strength within Discipline/Strength).

Avinu Malkeinu, Our Father, Our King, I am in awe that You, the self-existent and perfectly pure God, desire a relationship with me, with each of us. Thank You for redeeming me from my own "Egypt," the sin and bondage in my own life. Help us see that Your call to be holy is a gift, an invitation to intimacy, not an impossible demand or a burden. Let our hearts desire what You desire, so that our lives reflect Your beauty to those around us. Amen.