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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