The Once and Future Priests

Scripture: Now therefore, if you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is Mine. And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5-6

Observation: God uses three phrases to describe his intentions for the people of Israel:

-- My special possession
-- A kingdom of priests
-- A holy nation

In all these things, again he states that all the earth belongs to God. Israel is not to be the sole believers of God, but they are to serve a special purpose ... they are to have a specific relationship with God and with all other people groups.

Application: I am not sure why this theme is being brought into my heart lately. Even today, I saw it repeated also in Acts 3, when Peter tells the people they are part of the Abrahamic covenant whereby "all the families of the earth be blessed".

God was always the God of the 'gentiles'. He was always acting in the lives of people throughout the entire earth. While he might have special attention on Israel, this is as a vehicle to deliver his purposes.

I think my question today, then, is whether that attention has fully passed to 'the Church', has remained fully with Israel, or is divided. The Church is now the kingdom of priests pronouncing the good news of Jesus. If it is the linear continuation of Israel - with Jesus as the continuation of Moses as Peter also proclaims - then it would seem Israel does not have a special designation anymore. However, if this is just a branching of purposes - one striving to teach others of salvation and the other protecting both land and tradition for God's long-term objectives - then that carries with it a different perspective. I do not think I understand that perspective, but I continue to seek understanding.

Prayer: Lord, you are so great, so powerful, and so amazing. Your past acts prove both your authority and your love for us all. May I love the world as you love it, caring about all people even as we all struggle to obey your commands. Amen.