Exodus 19:1-25
Reflect
How do you identify yourself? Depending on the context, perhaps you give your identity as it relates to your job, your family, your hobbies, or your nationality. Have you ever identified as a treasured possession, part of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation?
Israel has been on a journey and their identity, which began with Abraham (Gen 12:2-3), is being formed anew. Chapter 19:3-8 is a contract that will forever shape Israel’s identity. Yahweh summons them (v3), provides a historical prologue (v4), gives the stipulations (v5a), and the resulting blessings (v5b-6). It was a covenant that invited the whole nation to be in relationship with God and to act as His mediators of grace to the whole earth. It was conditional. The cost was their full obedience.
The apostle Peter recalls this covenant in 1 Peter 2. He is writing to various churches composed of Jewish and Gentile believers, exhorting them to live holy lives. Because they have chosen to believe in Jesus as their Saviour, their identity is now also, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Pet 2:9). For us today, this is our identity.
Apply
Personalize 1 Peter 2:9 for yourself (“But I am a …). How does this identity impact your prayers, your decisions, your way of living? Have you fully signed the contract?
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.