The Iniquity of the Holy Things

The words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" were inscribed on the plate of gold in blue lace that rested on Aaron's forehead as he wore the holy mitre of the high priest and went into the Holy Place before the Lord to make atonement for the people. We read in Exodus 28:38 that this part of the holy garments effected a particular atonement for "the iniquity of the holy things" -- a phrase found nowhere else in the Bible -- and a phrase that at first reading seems to be an oxymoron that makes no sense. However, on closer examination we find in this phrase one of the most important truths in the Bible about the supreme holiness of God and of "this treasure in earthen vessels" that we have today: the power of Christ's blood even to atone for the "iniquity of the holy things," that being the iniquity inherent even in our righteous acts of service -- declaring us who are under that blood to be "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," and enabling us to then offer our service to the Lord.