Humanity as a whole seems to carry a deep suspicion, even resentment, for law, especially God’s law. In considering Exodus 19-24, the law of Moses, let’s ask ourselves two questions – How does the law of Moses make God known to the nations? And – What does the law make known about God?
Let’s begin by looking at Exodus 19:4-6… Other than the instructions for building the tabernacle, the law of Moses is contained in chapters 20-23. This particular section of laws is framed by two related passages – 19:4-6 and 24:3-8.
This passage has been called the “mission statement” for Israel. Or, in other words, it is her “great commission.” If the exodus was to them as the “resurrection of Christ” is to us, then this passage is to them what the “great commission” is to us.
Let’s observe what God says here – Israel’s Redemption:
Notice, first, the reference to the exodus. All that God expected out of them and all that He expects out of us depends on what God has already done for us. How should Israel react to that? Gratitude. Trust. Fear. Compare 15:26 with 20:20.
Secondly, what imagery do we have with the reference to the “wings of eagles” allusion? We get the image of God picking them up in Egypt and depositing them at Mount Sinai, as if the three intervening months did not happen. The point is that God sustains them.
Finally, notice that God says, “I brought you to Myself.” Clearly God is omnipresent but there was a sense in which God was not in Egypt. God was in the wilderness; God was at Mount Sinai, waiting for Israel to come to Him. He brought her out to have a relationship with her.
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God identifies Israel now in three ways. As we notice these three, we see how the law played a role in Israel’s life and why God brought her out of Egypt.
Own possession – This phrase refers to Israel as being distinct among all the nations. She is not God’s only possession; she’s simply a special possession.
A kingdom of priests – That is, Israel was to be a nation with the function of a priest. So, what does this say about Israel’s role among the nations? 1.) Priests represented the Lord to the people. 2.) Priests represented Israel to the Lord.
So, what does it mean for Israel to be a “kingdom of priests”? 1.) Israel was to represent God to the nations, making God known to the world (Isaiah 43:10, 12; 44:8-9; 55:4). 2.) Israel was to represent the nations before God, bringing their remembrance before Him.
Holy Nation – It harkens back to the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. The fact that Israel was a “holy” nation reinforces her separate and distinct nature among the other nations. Also, the fact that Israel was “holy” reflects the nature of her God. So, through Israel, God would make Himself known to the world.
As each of these designations have been subsequently applied to the church, we know that we also are a special, peculiar people (Titus 2:14), a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6), and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). Let us represent God appropriately to the world around us.
–Paul Holland
