Day 1157: God's treasured possession - Exodus 19 vs 1 - 6

1-3 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God.

4-5 The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ 6 These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:1-6 English Standard Version

We don't know for certain the exact location of the mountain in Sinai to which God led Israel. The ‘Gotquestions’ website says “the traditional site of Mount Sinai is in the south central part of the Sinai Peninsula and the mountain, today called Jebel Musa (the mountain of Moses).” In Exodus 3 we read that Moses led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And God spoke to Moses from the bush that burned, but was not consumed, and said: “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” From Deuteronomy we gleam that Horeb was another name for Sinai. So what was the great purpose of God in bringing Israel to Sinai? (vs 4-5)

It was to make a covenant relationship with them. In Deuteronomy 5:2 we read: The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.” And in this covenant God said: “If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.” We see that it was a covenant with potentially wonderful blessing! Chosen from the nations to be God's treasure. And it was indeed a covenant of God's grace, because He had rescued them from Egypt. But it was also a covenant of works, for God said: “If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant.”

We know from the rest of the Old Testament that, while God remained faithful, Israel sadly failed to keep their side of the covenant. How amazing then are the words which the apostle Peter wrote to Christians over a thousand years later, when he says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

That was a deliverance even more remarkable than the Exodus! But Peter continues: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

So perhaps the uncertainy of Sinai's whereabouts is a good thing, because Galatians 3:11-12 says: “Now it's evident that no one is justified before God by the law! For, (as Scripture says) 'the righteous shall live by faith'. But the law is not of faith, rather (it says) 'the one who does them shall live by them.'” The author of Hebrews said to Jews who had been converted: “You have come to Mount Zion - to the city of the living God - the heavenly Jerusalem - and to innumerable angels in festal gathering - and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven - and to God, the judge of all - and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect - and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.” Hebrews 12:22-24. Everyone who is in Christ, is indeed God's treasured possession!