I thought I would be diving into this subject from an earlier place where it was so alive to me that I about came undone with any reference to consecration and sanctification. I haven't kept my notes organized, so I have yet to retrace my steps that far back (which isn't far--within the year).
Oodles and oodles of notes on so many subjects have come alive in the past, and once upon a time, I had tubs of notebooks and folders of notes on those subjects. Most of those are gone now. I probably only of a surety have things from the past year. My heart aches over that.
But I encourage myself with the thought that if it came through my heart once, it can come again. And it will if God needs me to know it or grow it.
Tonight (veering away from that sad stance of disappearing writings), I took a quick peek into the word consecrate and found something unexpected. Hopefully I can translate this little glimpse into a blog post. And if not, it will at least be enough for me to retrace the steps later.
So the quickie is this, from Ezekiel 43:26 (KJV). "Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves."
That last portion is from the word מָלֵא mâlêʼ, maw-lay'; or מָלָא mâlâʼ; (Strong's Definition) a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):—accomplish, confirm, consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, × draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, have wholly.
This reminded me of John 10:10 (AMPC). "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
I knew one meaning of consecrate is "to set apart" (especially for holy use), but I didn't realize that it also indicated fullness and abundance! Talk about a point for gratitude! WOW.
I also came looking for photos of a deliberate conseceration but they seem to be missing from my phone and Google Photos! *sigh* But I do have a photo of "U" in front of the church where Dena and I changed after being baptized in the Celtic Sea on March 19, 2025.
I wish I had time to tell the whole story now. The encounter more fully aligns with my anticipated meaning defined by Merriam Webster.
consecrate* (adjective) ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt : dedicated to a sacred purpose
(verb) transitive verb
1 : to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite
especially : to ordain to the office of bishop
2 a : to make or declare sacred
especially : to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony
b : to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)
c : to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
3 : to make inviolable or venerable
I had to look up a few more words on this (just a quick dictionary box on Google from Oxford Languages):
in·vi·o·la·ble /inˈvīələb(ə)l/ : never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored.
"an inviolable rule of chastity"
ven·er·a·ble /ˈvenər(ə)b(ə)l,ˈvenrəb(ə)l/ : accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
"a venerable statesman"
I like them both. :-)
There is no way I can do this topic justice in just one moment! I may need to write a small book of the short seven days that led to such holiness for me. I did at least chart the course when we were halfway through as there was already so much that I was losing track. More notebooks for me to try and capture digitally!
*"consecrate." Merriam-Webster.com. (3 April 2025).
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