Exodus 19

Exodus 19 

God had chosen the people of Israel to be His special nation. He had chosen them not based on merit or worthiness but solely based on love and mercy. He wanted a people who would be His “Royal Priesthood”. Why would this be important to God? Because He wanted a nation that could represent God’s character, teach His word and be a messenger of salvation to the world. Through God’s chosen nation, the Messiah would come, and God would become available to all peoples, tribes, and nations. Israel was used to bringing the nations from afar to God through their ethical distinctiveness. 

God is completely Holy. We see this represented when the Lord descends on Mount Sinai in the fire. If the Israelites would have ascended up the mountain, they would have died. It was impossible for the people to approach God - unlike the idols and gods in Egypt that could be touched, this God was untouchable. As believers today, we know that through Christ, we have been given access to God. As a greater Moses, Jesus has covered our sins so that we may not be in the presence of God, and He lives forever beside the Father, interceding on our behalf. 

God made a covenant with the people of Israel and used that covenant to bring redemption to the world. As believers in Jesus, we, too, have made a covenant with God, one that is new and better. We lay aside our sins and choose to bear our crosses daily. Just as Israel was a sign to bring the nations to God, we are now sent to the nations to bring the message of salvation to them. 

Does your life reflect the covenant you’ve made with Christ? 

Do the daily choices you make show reverence and submission to God? 

Does your life show affectionate love towards Christ as your greatest treasure?