Holy, Holy, Holy

The bible uniquely emphasizes one attribute of God with a threefold repetition: Holy, holy, holy. Among all of God’s attributes, none are emphasized with the same intensity.

Throughout scripture, the angels proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty." No other attribute, whether love, love, love or grace, grace, grace, is repeated in this way, though God embodies these fully.

Why is God’s holiness singled out in such a profound way?

Repetition in scripture serves as a deliberate method to emphasize significance. For instance, Jesus frequently began His most profound teachings with the phrase"truly, truly" (Amen, amen), signaling their weight and authority. Similarly, the threefold proclamation of God’s holiness ("holy, holy, holy") underscores its importance in understanding His nature and sovereignty. It invites us to consider how this defining attribute shapes His relationship with humanity and how we, in turn, respond to His holiness.

Encountering God’s Holiness

Two transformative encounters in the bible reveal how God’s holiness exposes human frailty and calls for repentance and renewal:

• Isaiah’s Vision (Isaiah 6:1-7):

  Isaiah sees the Lord on His throne, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.” Overwhelmed by the holiness of God, Isaiah confesses his sin, declaring himself unclean. In response, a seraphim touches his lips with a burning coal, cleansing him and removing his guilt.

  
  

• Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-6):

  When Moses encounters God in the burning bush, he is told to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. Recognizing the sacredness of the moment, Moses hides his face, aware of his unworthiness before God.

R.C. Sproul reflects on Isaiah’s encounter in his book, The Holiness of God, writing:

“If ever there was a man of integrity, it was Isaiah ben Amoz. Then he caught one sudden glimpse of a holy God. In that single moment, all of his self-esteem was shattered. The instant he measured himself by the ultimate standard, he was undone—morally and spiritually annihilated."

Both Isaiah and Moses demonstrate that God’s holiness doesn’t expose sin to condemn but to transform. His holiness reveals our brokenness, not to shame us, but to call us to healing and renewal. Through their encounters with God’s holiness, both were not only cleansed and restored but also equipped to become great servants of God, carrying God’s message and leading His people with boldness and purpose.

Justice and Mercy United in Holiness

God’s holiness seamlessly unites His justice and mercy. His justice ensures that sin is justly addressed, while His mercy, revealed through Christ, offers forgiveness and reconciliation. At the cross, and ultimately at the end of time in the Book of Revelation, we witness the fullest expression of His holiness.

Jesus reminds us that His holiness doesn’t stand in opposition to His love and justice; rather, it fulfills them. His holiness both demands and makes a way for our redemption, showing His righteousness and compassion in equal measure.

The Arc of Redemption

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s holiness serves as a thread weaving through His plan to redeem and restore creation. As a holy God, His ultimate goal is to dwell among holy people in a holy place, a vision that will one day be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth. Can you picture such a day?

God’s holiness is not passive; it’s transformative. It reshapes everything it touches, calling humanity into deeper alignment with His divine purpose. Just as Isaiah was cleansed and Moses was called, we too are invited to let His holiness shape us into the people He created us to be. His holiness invites us to examine our hearts and embrace the transformative power of His presence. It compels us to turn away from darkness, walk in faith, and reflect His love in a broken world.