The Meaning of Harim in Scripture
The Hebrew word "harim" carries the sense of something devoted, consecrated, or set apart as holy unto the Lord. In the Old Testament, we encounter this concept most notably in the laws concerning devoted things and sacred offerings. When something was declared "harim," it was removed from ordinary use and consecrated entirely to God's service. This wasn't simply about religious ritual—it represented a fundamental commitment to honor God by setting apart what was most precious.
We see this principle clearly illustrated in the account of Jericho found in Joshua 6:17-19. When the city was to be conquered, Joshua declared that the city and all that was in it were to be "devoted to the Lord for destruction." The silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron were specifically set apart as holy to the Lord and placed in His treasury. The people understood that once something was declared harim, it belonged exclusively to God and could not be treated as common property.
Another significant passage addressing devoted things appears in Leviticus 27:28-29, where Moses provides detailed instruction about vows and devoted things. Anything devoted becomes "most holy to the Lord." This legislation demonstrates that the ancient Israelites took seriously their commitment to set apart what they had promised to God, understanding that such devotion demonstrated their covenant faithfulness.
Harim and Personal Devotion
Beyond the specific laws about objects and animals, the concept of harim speaks to a deeper spiritual truth about devotion and consecration. When the Israelites set apart something as harim, they were making a statement about their priorities and their relationship with God. They were saying, through their actions, that God deserved the very best and that certain things must be reserved entirely for His purposes alone.
This practice reflects what Paul would later encourage in Romans 12:1—presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Just as the ancient Israelites devoted their finest possessions to the Lord, New Testament believers are called to offer ourselves completely to God's service. The principle hasn't changed; we too must ask ourselves what we're willing to set apart exclusively for God's glory, whether our talents, time, finances, or influence.
Applying Harim to Our Modern Faith
How does the concept of harim speak to us today in Canada and beyond? We live in a culture of divided allegiances and competing demands. The principle of harim invites us to examine what we're truly devoting to God. Are we offering Him our best, or merely our leftovers? Are we willing to set apart what matters most—our Sunday mornings, our financial firstfruits, our most gifted children for ministry—as sacred and non-negotiable?
As believers, we're invited into the same covenant devotion that marked God's people throughout history. Our response to harim is to ask ourselves: What am I willing to consecrate wholly to God? When we make that commitment, we join a centuries-long cloud of witnesses who understood that true faith means setting apart what we love most for the One we love supremely.
Joshua 6:19 — "All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury."