Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17
Text: Exodus 19 : 5-6
A SPECIAL WORD OF PROMISE
What a wonderful message God gave to Moses to deliver to the children of Israel! How gracious and compassionate the Lord was to give this special word of promise!
“‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice
and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me
above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me
a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words
which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
EXODUS 19:5-6
1. “All the earth is Mine”
In the most literal sense of the word, the LORD could say that the earth was His! By His right of being Creator, He could say that the earth was fully His!
2. “A Special Treasure to Me above all people”
He could also decide whom He would choose to be His “special treasure”. This does not mean that He did not care for others! It simply means that God could single out Israel to enjoy a special relationship with Him.
3. “A kingdom of priests and a holy nation”
In what way would Israel be a special treasure to the Lord? Two aspects were particularly highlighted:-
a) Priesthood
Israel would become God’s servants! It would have the rare privilege of receiving God’s word. It would also enjoy the status of being called “priests” of God! Implied within this word was a ministry to the rest of the world! Israel would be in a position to instruct the rest of the world, since it was a nation of priests!
b) A holy nation
Israel would be a consecrated and sanctified nation! Priests must don the garb of holiness! What other garments would be suitable?
CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE OF THE COVENANT
There was one very important thing that Israel must fulfill if it was to enjoy such blessings from God. Israel must obey and keep God’s covenant!
“Now therefore if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant…” Exodus 19:5a
Obedience was clearly spelt out! Israel must ever seek to keep the Covenant that God would give it! The children of Israel were not unfamiliar with the fact that God had given a wonderful covenant to Abraham! Now Israel would also be given a formal declaration of a Covenant of its very own! Obedience! That was the key to blessing!