A Kingdom of Priests

Scripture: "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation." These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites. Exodus 19:4-6

Observation: In his first instructions to Moses at Mount Sinai, the Lord confirms the terms of the covenant. If Israel will obey his commands, they will be a "holy nation" dedicated to the Lord. They will be the Lord's possession out of all the people ... they will be his "kingdom of priests".

These, then, are the first terms of the covenant. Obey the ten commandments (which will be the instructions provided in three days hence), and you will become the Lord's nation of priests. There is nothing about added blessing, perfect lives, riches and comfort, or any earthly benefits. They will be simply a nation set apart from the rest of the world, which God also points out he still owns and commands.

Yes, later God will get into the "blessed to be a blessing" and the inheritance of the holy land. At that time, he will also get into all the details of all the laws, and explicit and implicit components of some of the simple instructions. For now, thought, the deal is about faith and trust. Become a nation of priests ... you can figure out if that comes with a blessing later.

Application: Of course, we now know that serving God - being part of the nation of priests, or a believer who seeks to do his will - comes with the blessings of God's love and joy. We also know that the burden of his laws are not heavy. However, we also know that, as flawed humans, it is impossible to fully obey them. This is the challenge of Mount Sinai ... the inability to obey, yet attempting to do so out of total faith that it's the right thing to do.

And that is my life of faith in Jesus. I fail every day to obey God, in many little ways and sometimes in bigger ways, and yet I know it is the right thing to do. I wish for nothing more than to be his servant daily. I know his love and his promises, and those are reason enough to serve him. I wish I served him better.

Prayer: Almighty God, the Lord who can bring fire onto mountains and command nations, may I serve you better. May I be part of the new nation of priests striving to do your will, both in our lives and in your world. I try to carefully keep your covenant and your commands. May thy will be done today. Amen.