Honoring What Heaven Has Hallowed

While in the mountains, I picked up a massive bag of candy at Food City, which claims to have 155 pieces. Norma Jean saw it and quipped, “You must be expecting a lot of kids for Halloween!”

Actually, we’ve never had trick-or-treaters come to our current home. So, I have to eat it all.

Apart from the candy and the kids, Halloween always reminds me of the word “hallow,” which we rarely use today unless we’re quoting the model prayer Jesus gave the disciples. But there actually is a connection.

The word “Halloween” literally means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening.” It appears Halloween has its origin in ancient Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots. Later, the Catholic Church, as decreed by Pope Gregory III, designated November 1 as a time to honor saints, so October 31 became known as “All Hallows’ Eve.”

Neither a day to celebrate saints nor to commemorate Halloween is authorized Biblically in any religious sense. It is a secular holiday. It’s time for trick or treating, attending costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, and watching scary movies.

However, this might be a good time to think about the word “hallow” in Halloween as it relates to the Holy One and our holiness.

Both the Greek and the Hebrew words translated “hallowed” mean “holy.”  Consecrated.  Set apart. Sanctified. Sacred. Dedicated.

The word “holy” is used 196 times in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. We read of a holy day. Holy habitation. Holy garments. Holy men. Holy offering. And holy things.

God’s Name is Hallowed

God’s name is holy and hallowed. “You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”  (Ex 22:32)

One of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:7 is “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”  Indeed, the word translated “Lord” is Yahweh.

It is summed up with God’s command to Israel in Leviticus 11:44: “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.”

Yahweh is the covenant name of God. It means “the eternally existent One.”  He is the “Great I AM.”   It is used 6,823 times in the Old Testament in various ways.  Also, other “names” or “designations” are used to refer to Jehovah.   Here are a few.

•El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
•El Elyon (The Most High God)
•Adonai (Lord, Master)
•Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
•Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
•Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
•Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
•Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
•Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
•Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
•El Olam (The Everlasting God)
•Elohim (God)
•Qanna (Jealous)
•Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
•Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
•Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

However, the name of God is more than just a name. Or title. Or Designation.  It speaks of His divine nature.  His character.  His personality. His attributes.  His Deity.

Profaning the “name of God” is more than using “Yahewh” in a flippant, vain, or unholy way.  It is a disposition toward Deity.  An unholy attitude toward  the divine “God-family.”

Jesus is called “the holy one of God” (Lk. 4:34).  The expression “name of Jesus Christ” is referenced 75 times in the New Testament.  He is to be honored, respected, and glorified.  The Spirit is called “holy” and He can be profaned, despised, and insulted (Heb 10:29).

When we speak of Deity in a way that is unbecoming, unholy, or inappropriate, we have profaned that which is hallowed.  A lack of respect that speaks of the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit in a crude, calloused, or light-minded manner is not in keeping with our call to holiness.

God’s Day is Hallowed

God also has a set-apart day. In the Old Testament, it was the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:7, the Bible says, “Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Under the law of Christ, the first day of the week is set apart as a “holy day.” We call it Sunday. In our day, it’s easy to forget that Sunday belongs to God, not the NFL! It is a sanctified day. A day of worship. A day of remembrance. A day of spiritual fellowship. Hallowed.

God’s People are Hallowed

Peter reminds us of God’s desire for his people.  “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Pet 1:15-16)

On Halloween, little children will go door to door in costumes, carrying bags and begging for candy. But thinking of these little goblins scarfing down their sweet treats can remind us to ask ourselves, “What is filling the vessel of my life?”

Am I drinking at a bitter fountain that leads to foolish disputes, discord, and division? Or am I imbibing at the sweet stream that yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness, faith, and love?” Am I filling my soul with the husks of carnality or the substance of spirituality? Am I feeding upon the bread of life? Or am I like Esau, trading my birthright for a mess of pottage that fails to satisfy the soul?

Furthermore, let’s not use Halloween as an excuse to engage in any behavior, dress, or activities that compromise our consecration to Christ.

In a culture that too often has greater interest in Halloween than in holiness, may we hallow our Lord. Weekly set apart His day. And daily keep our own vessel holy, hallowed, and pure.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman