In 1937, the Imperial State Crown of England was created for the coronation of King George VI. It is inarguably one of the most beautiful in the world.
The number of jewels staggers the imagination. Among them: eleven emeralds, seventeen sapphires, 269 pearls, and 2868 diamonds [1].
Front and center, just above the ermine band, sits the largest diamond—the “Star of Africa II, weighing 317.4 carats. (“Star of Africa I,” which is even larger, sits atop the British royal scepter.)
Puritan preacher and author, Thomas Watson (1620-1686), named one of God’s attributes as the most sparkling jewel of God’s crown. But before I reveal his answer, which of God’s quality traits would you consider his “attribute of attributes?”
- Love
- Holiness
- Power
- Infinitude
Watson chose B, perhaps because of the word’s meaning: separate and set apart. God is completely removed from every other creature, given his omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. In addition, he is perfect in purity, goodness, faithfulness, and so much more.
In heaven the seraphim (fiery angels!) continually celebrate God’s holiness. The prophet Isaiah heard them saying:
The Apostle John, during his vision of heaven, heard a similar chant [2].
We can’t help but notice the repetition of holy three times, and if you’re like me, that makes us curious. Why three times?
First, “holy” in triplicate may seek to honor each Person of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit.
Second, repetition indicates emphasis.
The ancient Hebrew language included no punctuation, no bold print, no way to indicate greater importance. When writers wanted to highlight something, they’d repeat it.
Other examples would include:
- In Genesis chapter one “God saw that it was good” is repeated six times.
- 1 Kings 9:26-10:29 includes the word gold fifteen times to emphasize King Solomon’s wealth.
- Psalm 130:6 offers heartfelt longing: “I wait for the Lord more than the watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”
- Psalm 136 includes “His love endures forever” twenty-six times.
- In Ezekiel 21:27, the prophet related God’s soon-coming judgment on Jerusalem—“A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin!”
But nowhere in scripture do we see a triple-repetition of an attribute for anyone but God and only for this one attribute [3]. God’s holiness is superlative; he is infinitely holy. And that holiness impacts everything else about him.
His love is holy love. His power is holy power. His justice is holy justice. All his attributes are characterized by purity and splendor beyond those of anyone else.
Gaze upon the crowning jewel of God’s holiness and be overcome with awe and reverence, as well as “a sense of our incredible, desperate need for a fresh infusion of who He is”—because he’s instructed us to be holy too [4].
“Oh, I can’t do that,” someone will say. “Even at my age I still do and say things I shouldn’t, and then leave undone the things I should do. Being holy is impossible!”
Here’s what that person doesn’t understand:
“What God’s truth demands; His grace will provide.” “Faithful is he that calls, who also will do it” [5].
The more we expand our awareness of God’s holiness, the more honor and respect we’ll long to give him through obedience—obedience that he rewards with blessing.
Just how do we expand that awareness? Through Bible study that instructs, prayer that empowers, worship that inspires, and practicing his presence that encourages.
* * * * * * * * * *
Holy God, who is like you? You are majestic in holiness beyond my comprehension; you are awesome in glory that takes my breath away. Every moment you are continually working wonders. There is no one holy like you! There is no one besides you!
I praise you, Father, for working your holiness into my spirit, enabling me to reflect your holy love, your holy goodness, your holy compassion to those around me. Empower me this day, I pray. AMEN.
(Exodus 15:11; 1 Samuel 2:2; Philippians 2:13)
[1] https://www.rct.uk/collection/31701/the-imperial-state-crown
[2] Revelation 4:8
[3] James MacArthur, Gripped by the Greatness of God, 28.
[4] MacArthur, 31.
[5] Francis Frangipane, Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God, 23; 1 Thessalonians 5:24
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Thank you, Kristi! Praise God for his inspiration and direction.
God’s holiness is, indeed, his crown jewel. He shines like no other, He is like no other and we should all bow before Him in obedient joy, knowing we are loved by our eternal, infinite and all-powerful Father. I also love that you explained why words or phrases are often repeated in the Bible, Nancy. I thought it might be for emphasis, but was never quite sure until now. Thanks and blessings!
“We should all bow before Him in obedient joy.” Amen to that, Martha! Our joy only increases as we follow his all-wise ways. So glad to have answered your question about the repetitions in the Bible. Now when we come across them we’ll know: this is important!
Beautifully expressed, Nancy.
Thank you, Mary. Praise God for guiding me–from the seed of an idea to finished post!
Inspirational and educational post, Nancy! All of those attributes are important and linked, I think. I am always overwhelmed by God’s love, but only a holy God could truly love unconditionally. Thanks for this study on holiness.
You are so right, Linda. God’s attributes are linked. For example, he is faithful in his goodness and good in his faithfulness. He is graciously compassionate and compassionate in his grace. He is perfectly good in the way he executes justice, and perfectly just in the way he administers his goodness. All his attributes seamlessly intertwine–perfectly!
What a great way of expressing the links, Nancy!
I would have though love but how fascinating to chose holiness and interesting to read about. Great thoughts!
Love would surely have been a close second for Thomas Watson. Our Heavenly Father is certainly loving toward us as part of his holiness. Thank you, Jean!
To think He loves me in His holiness despite my unholiness, and He imparts His holiness to me every moment as He sees me through His Son. Amazing!
Mind-boggling truths to meditate upon for sure, Patty!
This is so wonderful Nancy! I love that you showed us pictures of the Crown and scepter–and then used those to discuss The Amazingness of our Lord!! What a visual image–to discuss His attributes. I also liked how you explained repetition in scripture. Very, very good. Thank you so much!!
So glad this post was meaningful for you, Katie. To contemplate God’s character is to impact our own. I think Hannah Whitall Smith was right: “The things we think are the things that feed our souls. If we think on pure and lovely things, we shall grow pure and lovely like them.” What could be more pure and lovely than God’s holiness?!
So true!! Such a great attribute to reflect upon!!
Beautiful post that helps to expand our awareness. Thanks, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Wynne. Thank you for stopping by!
I found this so encouraging. He provides everything we need to be faithful servants:
“What God’s truth demands; His grace will provide.” “Faithful is he that calls, who also will do it”.
NOTE: I read your blog a few hours after learning that Napoleonic crown jewels had been stolen from Louvre. God’s Crown is untouchable!
LOVE that, Cheri: “God’s Crown is untouchable” indeed! It can never be taken from him; it can never be usurped by another power, because only Elohim is omnipotent!
So much here that challenges me, Nancy, and especially since I’m pondering an article I recently read by Wayne Grudem on the topic of holiness. He emphasized that God is separated from sin in his. holiness, and he is ALSO separated TOWARD all that is good. I love that! TT
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Thank you for sharing that insight, Michele. I would never think of God separating TOWARD something. The fact that the “something” is all that is good makes us appreciate and love our Heavenly Father all the more!
When I read the reason for repetition in the Bible, I had to chuckle. It sure helps to implant the message in my mind! Lovely and inspiring post, Nancy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Nancy. Now when we come across those repetitions, we can “translate” them to bold print!
This was a very inspiring post! I love how you answer the question as to how we can increase our awareness of God’s Holiness. Your answer is wondrously insightful!!! Thank you!
Thank you, Linda. Praise God for the insights he shared here with all of us!
I guessed it was His holiness only because I’ve been studying the book of Isaiah, and in that many examples of repetition create emphasis. I love how you compared this to the crown jewels–a very striking world picture of what we see from a human perspective as valuable, but none of it comes close to the value of the holiness of God as He has forgiven us in Jesus. Focusing on His truth is a great suggestion to increase awareness of His holiness. Why, do you think, this isn’t one of His character qualities that many churches spend a lot of time on? Wondering what you think.
One thought that comes to mind: church services and Bible study groups often focus their attention on the New Testament, and most mentions of God’s holiness are in the Old Testament. (I checked my old Strong’s Concordance for reference. There are five columns of references for the word, “holy,” and only one and one-half of those columns include New Testament listings. Many of the those verses are about the Holy Ghost/Spirit–not specifically about God’s holiness.) Now I’d be interested to know what you think too, Dayle!
You had me at the crown picture, Nancy! And to think, God’s abundance is so unlimited that that crown is just a speck of what heaven will be like.
So true, Stacey. We’ll probably spend the first millennia walking around heaven in wonder, eyes like saucers, mouths open, unable to speak!
Nancy,
I love that things are repeated as a was to solidify who God is. Holy, holy, holy for God in the trinity, past, present, future reign of the king, etc. All of Psalms and Proverbs.
Have a great week,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
As I told Nancy above, now when we come across those repetitions, we can “translate” them to bold print!
I couldn’t reply on WordPress, Dayle, so had to turn to Gmail.
A refocus on God’s holiness might regenerate awe and passion for our Lord Almighty, King of glory. Our human hearts so easily become complacent!
Nancy R.