Set Apart by and for God

“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” [1]

The Lord brought the Israelites out from Egypt, out from slavery, out from cruel and harsh treatment, and brought them to Mount Sinai and made a covenant with them.

He began by saying…

“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.” [2]

“Obey My voice” – God was and will keep speaking to them through His Word.

“Covenant” – The Ten Commandments [3] and the sacrifice of animals for forgiveness of sin. [4] When the Ten Commandments are eventually written on tablets of stone, they are placed in the ark [5], which is subsequently known as “the ark of the covenant” [6]. Atop the Ark of the Covenant is a mercy seat where the blood of sacrificed animals is placed.

These covenant people are God’s treasure – a prized possession

They are a kingdom of priests to God – He’s King of the kingdom

They are priests to God – ministering to Him & representing Him

They are a holy nation - set apart to represent God to others

Those who are holy have been set apart from the common or ordinary to be sacred, devoted to, belonging exclusively to the holy God. Because they are holy, they are not to contaminate themselves with worship of other gods or practices that are forbidden by God.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter applies this covenant relationship of people with God to believers and followers of Jesus Christ. He says…

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. You were once not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [7]

Then, Peter advises us…

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making us Your special treasure. Your priests! Your holy nation! Delivered from darkness to light! Shown mercy! Help us by good works to impact those around us so that they are glorifying You when You visit them. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Exodus 19:4
[2] Exodus 19:5-6
[3] Exodus 20:3-17
[4] Exodus 20:24
[5] Deuteronomy 10:5
[6] Numbers 10:33; 14:44; Deuteronomy 10:8; 31:9, 25-26
[7] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[8] 1 Peter 2:11-12