Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth

2 Chronicles 29:34

But the priests were too few;

So that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

The word sanctify means to be holy and it also means being set aside from the world for the purpose of God. The act of sanctification was a ritual cleansing using animal sacrifices. By this act they are consecrated or made sacred. If we read the whole chapter of 2 Chronicles 29 from where we got the text, you will see it took 16 days for the priests to clean the temple and sanctify it. Also it tells us in Exodus 29:37 that 7 days should be taken to sanctify the altar so it becomes holy.

The appointed priests in our text were so busy, they did not have time to sanctify themselves. Now you might say this is very interesting John, but what has this to do with me a New Testament Christian? In the Gospel of John 17:17 Our Lord Jesus prayed these words:

 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. You and I who regularly read our Bibles as a disciplined habit, are being sanctified by the word of God.

Prayer:

Thank you our loving Heavenly Father for sanctifying us, that is to separate us for your purpose that we may walk in obedience to your teaching, that your will be done and your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen