Rudy Ross shares insightful thoughts about the dating in the first verse of Exodus 19. I hope you’ll watch our YouTube video to hear his ideas. You’ll be glad you did.
God shared crucial words with Moses in verses 4-6. Let’s focus on those verses for today’s article.
“You 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 obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,
“But you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19.4-6).
Grace Abounding
God’s grace helped the Hebrew people escape from slavery in Egypt. Then, it guided them through many challenges on their 45-day journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai.
Grace is a vital aspect of our Christian heritage. Let’s consider how God’s grace has aided us and take a moment to thank Him for His kindness.
(1) Forgiveness of sins: Without God’s grace that forgives our sins and lets us connect with the Greatest Being of All, where would we be?
(2) Strength in difficult times: Just like the Israelites, we need God’s help and direction all the time. This is especially true during tough times. Let’s thank God for this wonderful gift.
(3) Transformation and spiritual growth: Consider what amount of power it takes to change a sinner into a saint. This is another example of God’s grace, and we thank Him for His goodness.
Brought You to Myself
God liberated two million Hebrew slaves, not merely to set them free to do as they pleased. His primary motive was to welcome them into a relationship with him. Every act of freedom God bestows is intended to draw us closer to him.
Exodus 20 presents the Ten Commandments. These were provided by God to guide us on how to love Him and each other.
Jesus put it this way, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15.9-11).
Don’t miss the amazing message in verse nine. Jesus tells us that his love for us is just like the love his Father has for him. Let’s be sure to live within this love.
God frees us from sin and self, guiding us to live by His commandments (verse 10). These rules aren’t meant to limit or burden us. Instead, they help us understand how to live fully in God’s love.
Being slaves in Egypt or to sin isn’t a happy life. Jesus gives us freedom and guidance, bringing the fullness of joy into our lives.
Priestly Kingdom and Holy Nation
God viewed Hebrew slaves, free for 45 days from Egypt, as his cherished treasure, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Now think about how God sees you.
In Egypt, the Hebrew children were seen as workers. Their worth was measured by what they could make.
Today, we often judge our worth based on what we can produce, how good we look, our possessions, and the job we have.
But God’s view of his children is different from this. We are his treasured possession.
Peter used God’s words to the Israelites and applied them to the church. It’s something we should understand and follow in our lives.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
A priest serves as a bridge between God and people. He connects with God, pleading for humans, while also reaching out to people on behalf of God. This is our calling.
As a holy nation, we should mirror God’s character. He is unique in his love, grace, kindness, goodness, and purity. We must strive to do the same.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 