Exodus 19:2-8a (NRSV)
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Verse 2They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Verse 3Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: Verse 4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Verse 5Now 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, Verse 6but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Verse 7So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. Verse 8The people all answered as one: "Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do." Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
Devotion
The love of God and his mercy and grace are unconditional, but often his blessings are conditioned on obedience. In verse 5, God places an "if" in the equation of obedience and being a treasure to him, and, in v. 6, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
And so it is today, by God's love, grace and mercy. We can enter into a personal relationship with Jesus by our faith response, whereby we have the forgiveness of our sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit living within. Ephesians 2:8-9 spells this out. It goes on in verse 10 to say we are called to be obedient in good works God has prepared for us to do. Like the people of Israel, we are chosen by God and offered the opportunity to become a kingdom of priests to carry out God’s will as we seek to impact this world.
Prayer
May thy kingdom come, O Lord, and help me today to further your kingdom. Amen.