Holy ground

In Exodus 3 God told Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. The dirty and artificial wasn't to touch the holy ground. But Moses was required to.

Over in Ezekiel we read of the care required to keep the holy separate from the people -- and in Leviticus rules about how even the priests have to take care. But the original call was to come and stand on the holy ground; I suppose in order to be part of the holy, the set-apart.

That isn't just a New Testament thing. Even in Leviticus: "Be holy, for I am holy." Cast off the dirt and come to the holy ground to become holy.

Of course it isn't always easy, and we need Someone to clean us and bring us there.