Be Ye
Be Ye
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 20:7
There are so many examples of “be ye” in the Bible, approximately 67, but I won’t include them all.
“Be” is a verb that means something is taking place, existing, has presence or exists in actuality.
Look at just “be” in the Bible. Almost every time you see “be” it is saying this is to be done. You are to take action by doing this command or action is being taken. It is immediate, now.
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
Now let’s look at “ye”. “Ye” is very old English for “you”. “Ye” is very specific.
It’s important to note that every time “be ye” is used, it is used as directly telling a command. In most cases, if not all, it is defined as “you”. It is direct, intentional and specific. “Be ye” is never a suggestion. “Be ye” is never an attempt.
If you look at every example used in the Bible it is used as a direct action verb and is directed at the person reading it.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16
We are to use scripture as a guide for our life. Not to change it. To apply it. It should never be interpreted. The Holy Spirit will give the scripture meaning to it so we can apply it to our lives.
Unfortunately so many people believe scripture is a suggestion. That we should pick and choose what we want to apply to our lives.
Being holy is about as non-suggestive as it gets. Sanctification is a process of separating yourself from those things that are not righteous and holy. You can’t be either if you are only using part of the Bible.
Using half of the instructions will only yield half of the results, we can’t make up the rest.
In our world, people don’t like to be told what to do, be held to a standard or have someone govern over them. People believe a free world where everything is for everyone will be perfect.
God is already perfect. And God created every single thing in the universe. Believe what you want, but He is in control, and you’ll never be able to change that.
Our God is just, full of mercy and grace and He is sovereign above everything.
All of this to make this point, when the Bible reads “be ye” - it should be done, without question and without excuse.
We are on this planet temporarily and by design. We are to draw close to God, our creator, have a relationship with Him and spend eternity in Heaven.
Look up your own examples of “be ye” in the Bible and see where you can apply them to your life today.
Here are a few;
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
James 1:22-24
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
James 5:8