What kind of people has God called us to be?
Key Verse:
“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” —Exodus 19:5–6a NASB
Background Context:
Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel arrived at Mount Sinai. Here, God would establish His covenant with the nation and soon give His Law through Moses. Before speaking the Ten Commandments, however, God reminded His people of what He had already done for them and revealed His purpose for calling them. Israel was not chosen because of its greatness but because of God’s grace. He redeemed them so they could belong to Him and represent Him before the nations.
It is also important to remember that the people gathered at Mount Sinai were not only the descendants of Jacob. When Israel departed Egypt, “a mixed multitude also went up with them” (Exodus 12:38). Men and women from other nations had witnessed the Lord’s mighty works, chose to leave Egypt behind, and joined themselves to the people of God. Together, this covenant community stood before the mountain to hear the Lord speak.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
1In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.
Reflection on Exodus 19:1–6:
As Israel gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai, they stood at one of the most significant moments in biblical history. God had delivered them from slavery, protected them through the wilderness, provided manna from heaven, brought water from the rock, and given them victory over their enemies. Before giving them His commandments, He first reminded them of His grace.
The Lord said:
“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” (Exodus 19:4)
Those final words are beautiful.
God did not simply deliver Israel from Egypt.
He delivered them to Himself.
The purpose of redemption has always been relationship. God’s desire was not merely to rescue His people from bondage but to bring them into covenant fellowship with Him. The same is true for us today. Through Yeshua, we are not simply rescued from the penalty of sin—we are invited into a restored relationship with our heavenly Father.
This pattern is found throughout Scripture. God acts first in grace, and His people respond in loving obedience. Israel did not earn their deliverance by perfectly keeping God’s commandments. They were redeemed first, and then God taught them how to live as His covenant people.
Likewise, we are saved by God’s grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet Paul immediately continues by saying that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Obedience does not earn our salvation; it is the grateful response of those who have already been redeemed.
God then gives His people an incredible calling:
“You shall be My own possession among all the peoples… and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
A priest represents God before others. Israel was called to display God’s character so that the surrounding nations would come to know Him. Their holiness was never intended to make them proud or isolated, but to make God’s glory visible to the world.
It is also worth remembering who was standing at the foot of Mount Sinai.
Scripture tells us that a mixed multitude had come out of Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38). God’s covenant community already included people from more than one nation who had chosen to follow the God of Israel. Later, God would make this principle even clearer by declaring:
“The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.” (Exodus 12:49)
And again:
“There is to be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a perpetual statute throughout your generations.” (Numbers 15:15–16)
From the beginning, God demonstrated that His instruction was given to His covenant people, which included not only those born into Israel but also those from the nations who joined themselves to Him in faith. This foreshadows the beautiful picture we see fulfilled through Messiah, as God calls people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His family.
Peter intentionally echoes this passage when writing to believers:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Peter is not inventing a new calling. He is reminding believers that through Messiah they now share in the same mission—to belong to God, reflect His character, and proclaim His greatness to the world.
Notice that God’s invitation includes both privilege and responsibility. His people are His treasured possession, and He calls them to listen to His voice and keep His covenant. Relationship and obedience have never been enemies. Throughout Scripture, those who love the Lord desire to walk in His ways because they know His commandments reveal His wisdom, His holiness, and His love.
The world should see something different in those who belong to God. Our priorities, our words, our relationships, and our obedience should point others to the One who has redeemed us.
Just as God brought Israel to Himself at Mount Sinai, He has brought us to Himself through Yeshua. May we joyfully embrace the privilege of belonging to Him and faithfully live as His representatives in the world.
Application:
- Thank God for redeeming you and bringing you into a relationship with Him.
- Remember that God’s grace always precedes our obedience.
- Live as one of God’s people, reflecting His holiness and love in your daily life.
- Look for opportunities to represent God well before those around you.
- Rejoice that through Messiah, God is drawing people from every nation into His covenant family.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for redeeming me and bringing me into a relationship with You through Yeshua. Thank You that Your grace reached me long before I deserved it. Help me to joyfully walk in Your ways, not to earn Your love, but because You have already made me Your own. May my life reflect Your holiness and point others to Your goodness. Use me as Your representative in the world, proclaiming Your greatness to all who will hear. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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