The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States “A kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation” for Monday, 12 September 2016Daily Scripture: Exodus 19:1 (iv) In the third month after the people of Isra’el had left the land of Egypt, the same day they came to the Sinai Desert. 2 After setting out from Refidim and arriving at the Sinai Desert, they set up camp in the desert; there in front of the mountain, Isra’el set up camp.
3 Moshe went up to God, and Adonai called to him from the mountain: “Here is what you are to say to the household of Ya‘akov, to tell the people of Isra’el: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you will be a kingdom of cohanim for me, a nation set apart.’ These are the words you are to speak to the people of Isra’el.”
(v) 7 Moshe came, summoned the leaders of the people and presented them with all these words which Adonai had ordered him to say. 8 All the people answered as one, “Everything Adonai has said, we will do.” Moshe reported the words of the people to Adonai.
16 On the morning of the third day, there was thunder, lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain. Then a shofar blast sounded so loudly that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Moshe brought the people out of the camp to meet God; they stood near the base of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was enveloped in smoke, because Adonai descended onto it in fire — its smoke went up like the smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke; and God answered him with a voice.
(A: vi, S: vii) 20 Adonai came down onto Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; then Adonai called Moshe to the top of the mountain; and Moshe went up. 21 Adonai said to Moshe, “Go down and warn the people not to force their way through to Adonai to see him; if they do, many of them will perish. 22 Even the cohanim, who are allowed to approach Adonai, must keep themselves holy; otherwise, Adonai may break out against them.” 23 Moshe said to Adonai, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, because you ordered us to set limits around the mountain and separate it.” 24 But Adonai answered him, “Go, get down! Then come back up, you and Aharon with you. But don’t let the cohanim and the people force their way through to come up to Adonai, or he will break out against them.”
25 So Moshe went down to the people and told them.
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Reflection Questions:
After the shocking destruction of Pharaoh’s army, Egypt was definitively part of Israel’s past. Through Moses and the pillar of smoke and fire, God led the newly freed people to Mount Sinai. They knew who they weren’t: slaves to Egypt. Now God began the process of helping them understand who they were. As they reached Sinai, God gave them this divine purpose statement: “You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation.”
On God’s behalf, Moses said to the Israelites, “You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to me.” What made it so important for them to remember clearly that God’s power, not their own strength or cunning, had brought them freedom? How did this foreshadow the Christian message that God’s grace, not our own goodness, is the source of our salvation?
- Many scholars think 1 Peter came from a sermon preached to new Christian converts. It said, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light” (1 Peter 2:9). How did Peter’s use of the Exodus 19 “identity” words show that the Christian faith was not a divine rejection of Israel, but a furtherance and extension of God’s eternal saving mission?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am a member of “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation?” Wow—thank you. Help me to live in ways that speak of your wonderful acts on my behalf. Amen.
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Insights from Donna Karlen
Donna Karlen serves in Communications at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, creating and managing social media content.“I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to me.”
Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their place at the foot of the mountain.
These scripture passages from today’s reading speak beautifully about God’s relationship with his people. You can just feel how much God wanted the people he loved to be near – to live in his presence.
“… if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession.”
If it just wasn’t for that darn sinning!
This week we will read about the Ten Commandments. Rules for living that were given by God through Moses to his people. Rules we all can try really hard to follow. But as we learned from Pastor Adam’s sermon this weekend, even when we think we’re living into those commandments, we may not be. An angry thought… putting something ahead of God such as money or a job… stealing by cheating a friend or on our taxes… passing on a rumor… coveting anything! Any of these things separate us from God.
Except that God loves us so much that he gave us the one and final way to be his most precious possession. Jesus is the one who will lift us up and bring us to meet God.
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