Called To Be His Treasured Possession
In multiple places in the Bible, Israel is called God’s treasured possession. Peter calls Christians by this same title (1 Peter 2:9) to indicate that we have been chosen to be a royal priesthood and a holy people. In Exodus 19:1-14, Moses leads Israel to Mt Sinai shortly after their exodus from Egypt and Egyptian slavery. It is here that God calls them His special possession and consecrates them to meet with Him. And it is at Mt Sinai where Israel vows to keep covenant with God to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests obedient to Him. I pray that you will live daily in the spirit of someone who is a treasured possession of God, called to be holy and a royal priest. Amen
On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt —on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. (Exodus 19:1-2)
In Exodus 3:12, God told Moses that Israel was to come and worship Him at Mt Sinai after He delivered them from Egyptian bondage. After their departure from Egypt, Moses did indeed lead Israel to Mt Sinai as God had commanded him.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. (Exodus 19:3-8)
God gave Moses instructions regarding what he was to tell Israel about this moment. He was to remind them that God had delivered them out of Egypt by His power. God intended for Israel to be a holy nation, obedient to Him. They were to be His “treasured possession”, entrusted with a calling to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. For their part, they were to enter into and keep their covenant with God. When Moses presented the covenant terms to the people, they agreed to do everything that God had said.
The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. (Exodus 19:9-14)
Following Israel’s agreement to enter into covenant with God, God told Moses that He would install him as their leader in a public display. The purpose of which was so that the people would know that Moses was God’s choice and put their trust in him. God instructed Moses to consecrate the people in preparation for His presence, and to warn them not to come near or touch the mountain during the period of consecration (3 days of purification) under penalty of death.
It was at Mt Sinai that Israel entered into covenant agreement with God to be His chosen people. Their covenant duty was to obey God’s law, to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Although Israel agreed to a covenant relationship with God, they would subsequently fail to live up to their calling. But because of His great love for them, God continued to be faithful to His promise and He never abandoned them. In this age, God is in covenant relationship with those who have been saved by His grace through faith in Jesus. We too have become His treasured possession. And we are called to do the good things that He planned for us to do. Because of His great love for His people, even when we stumble and fall, God is faithful and still desires us to come back into relationship with Him. He doesn’t abandon us! What a blessing to know that we are His…. and that He treasures each and every one who accepts His covenant of grace!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
