The words “sanctify” and “sanctification” have deep roots in the Old Testament. There, holiness is about nearness to the presence of God. He is the holy-maker. Sanctification is his gift. The Old Testament helps us to avoid the common misunderstanding today that sanctification is all about our life of good works.
What do Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac, the place where David built an altar to stop a plague, and the temple of Solomon all have in common? All three were on the same mountain. On this mountaintop, you can see the whole story of salvation.
Did the transfiguration of Christ happen at night? Of all possible Old Testament people, why were Moses and Elijah there? What were they talking with Jesus about? Was Peter thinking of the Feast of Sukkot when he suggested making tents? How does the OT background of the mountain, cloud, divine speech, etc. illumine this story? Chad Bird provides a detailed…
