A Deep Dive into Sacred Value and God’s Holiness

What is sacred value?

Sacred value in Scripture reflects God’s intentional designation of holiness and purpose, most clearly illustrated in His covenant with Israel.

In Exodus 19:5-6, God declares the Israelites to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation," assigning them a sacred role as mediators between Him and the world. This passage underscores that sacred value originates not from human merit but from God’s sovereign choice to elevate His people for a divine mission. Such value is tied to covenantal identity, emphasizing that those marked as sacred are entrusted with representing His character and purposes.

This foundational concept reveals that sacredness is relational and functional, rooted in God’s redemptive plan rather than inherent worth. It sets the stage for exploring how sacred value shapes obligations and privileges within biblical faith.

Sacred Value in Exodus 19:5-6

Exodus 19:5-6 crystallizes the concept of sacred value as a covenantal identity bestowed by God’s grace.

In these verses, God declares to Israel, 'Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession... a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' The sacred value assigned here is not rooted in Israel’s inherent worth but in God’s sovereign choice to elevate them as mediators of His holiness to the world. By calling them a 'holy nation,' God establishes a functional holiness that defines their role in His redemptive plan, distinguishing them through both privilege and responsibility. This covenantal designation underscores that sacred value operates within relational boundaries, requiring obedience to maintain the covenant’s integrity.

The sacred value conferred in Exodus 19:5-6 thus becomes a framework for identity and duty, compelling Israel to embody God’s character through ethical and ritual practices. This passage shows that being holy is more than a status. It calls believers to embody divine holiness in community and mission. Such understanding prepares the reader to grasp how sacred value later informs Israel’s laws, worship, and interactions with neighboring nations.

Sacred Value and Covenantal Relationship

In the Old Testament, sacred value is deeply intertwined with Israel’s covenantal relationship with God, as seen in texts that emphasize both chosenness and holiness.

Leviticus 19:2 commands, 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy,' directly linking Israel’s sacred value to their obligation to mirror God’s holiness as His covenant people. Deuteronomy 7:6 reinforces this by declaring Israel 'a people for his treasured possession,' underscoring their unique status rooted in divine election rather than inherent merit. These verses reveal that sacred value carries a dual tension: Israel’s special role coexists with the universal claim that God’s holiness transcends any single nation.

This covenantal sacredness imposed ethical and ritual responsibilities, requiring Israel to embody God’s character through laws governing justice, worship, and community life. Such obligations highlight that sacred value is not passive but demands active fidelity to the covenant’s terms, a theme that will be explored further in the context of covenantal failure and restoration.

Sacred Value in the New Covenant

In the New Testament, Jesus redefines sacred value by emphasizing spiritual transformation over ritual purity.

1 Peter 2:9-10 applies the Exodus language of a 'holy nation' to the Christian community, declaring believers a 'royal priesthood' chosen to proclaim God's excellencies through their union with Christ. This reimagines sacred value as rooted in Jesus' sacrificial work rather than ethnic identity or ceremonial law. Revelation 5:9-10 further universalizes this concept, depicting Christ's redemptive sacrifice as making 'a kingdom and priests to our God' from every tribe and tongue, expanding sacred value to a global, eschatological community.

By framing sacred value in terms of Christ's atonement and the church's missional identity, the New Testament reorients holiness toward participation in God's redemptive mission rather than adherence to ritual boundaries, setting the stage for understanding sacred value in the context of Christian discipleship.

Why Sacred Value Matters Today

The biblical concept of sacred value remains vital for modern believers as it shapes their identity, ethics, and mission within God’s redemptive plan.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul declares believers to be "God’s temple" with the Spirit dwelling in them, affirming their sacred identity and calling them to honor this reality through ethical living. Similarly, Ephesians 2:19-22 describes Christians as "fellow citizens with the saints" and "members of the household of God," emphasizing their shared participation in a holy community. These passages underscore that sacred value is not abstract but demands active stewardship of one’s life and relationships.

This sacred value compels believers to pursue holiness (1 Corinthians 3:17) and to build one another up as living stones in God’s spiritual temple (Ephesians 2:22), aligning their daily choices with their calling as a holy priesthood. Such understanding bridges the Old Testament covenantal framework to the New Testament’s missional vision, preparing readers to explore how sacred value informs practical Christian living.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of sacred value, explore commentaries on Exodus (e.g., Brevard Childs or Bruce Waltke) and theological works on covenant theology (e.g., Herman Ridderbos or John Murray).

Consider how Exodus 19:5-6 intersects with Leviticus 19:2 (“Be holy, for I am holy”) and Deuteronomy 7:6 (“a people for his treasured possession”), while cross-referencing related terms like ‘holiness’ (1 Peter 1:16) and ‘election’ (Romans 9:6-8).