Dear Family,
Today is Sunday, May 9, 2021. This is Day 1 of Week 7 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 43rd day of Counting. This is the Week of Israel Camping before Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 19:1-2 (1) In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. (2) For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
Here, God called to Moses and gave him a message that Moses was to deliver to Israel.
Exodus 19:3-6 (3) And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying; Thus, shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; (4) Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself. (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: (6) And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
God’s message to Israel was a reminder of what He had just done for Israel, bringing them out of Egypt on “eagles’ wings.” And, God was proposing the opportunity to enter into covenant with Him. Other Old Testament Scriptures indicate that this was compared to a marriage covenant. God offered Israel the honor of being “a peculiar treasure unto me above all people” and the opportunity of becoming a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy” nation.
Words very similar to this proposal are found in the New Testament.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;
Ancient Israel heard the words of the covenant proposal and committed to doing their part; yet, as we know from Biblical history, they failed to live up to their part of the agreement.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
God wants our hearts. He wants our heartfelt love. He wants ALL of the rest of our being, also. The gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost has made it possible for us to give all of our being to Him.
May God bless us to give God exactly what He wants.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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