Set Apart Pete Kersker - Jun 01, 2026 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'" (Leviticus 19:1 NIV). We use the word "holy" a lot when we are at church. That's because the word "holy" is in the Bible a lot. It's also in our prayers. Do we ever stop to think about what that word means, though? "Holy" simply means "set apart, separate, different." "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die (Exodus 28:31-35 NIV). Depending on your background, you may think about what a pastor, reverend, or priest wears when they serve on a Sunday morning. The Israelite priests would wear special garments when they served at the tabernacle and then the temple. Those garments set them apart as different from the rest of the Israelites. They were holy (set apart) unto the LORD (to serve before the LORD at the tabernacle or temple). The Israelite people, though, were not told to be holy in this way. "'Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.'" (Leviticus 19:3 NIV) The Israelites were not told to be holy (set apart) in what they wore. They were to be holy (set apart) in what they said and did. The Ten Commandments, and other provisions of the Law of Moses, told them how to live. These things would make them different from the surrounding nations of their day. They would show their love for the LORD by listening to His commands and following them. This would make them set-apart to the LORD. It would make them holy. "'Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.'" (Leviticus 19:4 NIV) Do you ever think about what it means to be holy (set apart) to the LORD? Do you show your love for God by listening to His commands and living them? Does this make you holy (set apart) from others who do not listen to God?