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2 Kings 19:22
“Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!”
Other “gods” such as Islam’s Allah may bear a superficial resemblance to the God of the Bible, but the totality of Scripture shows us that our God is far different from any would-be deity. Unlike false gods, the God of Israel, who became incarnate as the Lord Jesus Christ, is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3). Divine holiness sets the only true God apart from all others.
That Scripture emphasizes the holiness of God is evident not only in how often it describes Him as holy but also in that the concept of holiness is taken up into one of the divine names. One of the most common names or titles given to God in the Bible is “the Holy One of Israel,” which appears more than thirty times in the Old Testament and is particularly prominent in the book of Isaiah. The title itself helps us see how important holiness is as a divine attribute. In one sense, there is no real need of the name “God” or “Lord” when we refer to the one true God and covenant Lord of Israel. Holiness is so definitional of the one true God that we can say “Holy One of Israel” and immediately know whom we are talking about.
Scripture’s use of “the Holy One of Israel” is often coupled with specific acts that show God’s set-apartness, which is the fundamental meaning of holiness. For example, Psalm 78:41–43 calls God “the Holy One of Israel” in referring to the miracles performed during the exodus. God is set apart in power from creation, which is why He can do things contrary to ordinary natural patterns, such as turning the water of the Nile into blood (see Ex. 7:14–24). Isaiah 41:14 assures us that our “Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” God, as our Redeemer, is set apart from creation in several ways. For instance, He is set apart in that His promise to save His people is sure (Ps. 85:9); He cannot fail to keep His pledge of redemption, unlike creatures, who can break their promises and often do so. He is also set apart as Redeemer in the sense that unlike creaturely saviors, who might be able to provide a temporary rescue from some difficulties in the present, God can save us to the uttermost, freeing us from sin, Satan, and death (Heb. 7:25). Therefore, “the Holy One of Israel” in His set-apartness is also able to show us immeasurable grace. In his book The Holiness of God, Dr. R.C. Sproul writes about God’s restoration of Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1–7: “The holy God is also a God of grace. He refused to allow His servant to continue on his belly without comfort. He took immediate steps to cleanse the man and restore his soul.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The Holy One of old covenant Israel remains the Holy One of new covenant Israel. The same mighty God who kept His promises and showed His mighty power to the Israelites of old today keeps His promises and shows His mighty power to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have nothing to fear if we are on the side of the Holy One of Israel.
For further study
- Psalm 71:22
- Isaiah 54:5
- Jeremiah 50:29
- John 6:66–69
The bible in a year
- Deuteronomy 33–34
- Luke 1:24–38