Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Exodus 19:1-8 comments: a peculiar treasure

19:1 ¶  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. 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. 7  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

Now, we’re back in the main narrative after the interlude about Jethro’s visit. We pick up where we left off as the Hebrews into the Sinai desert where they encamped before Horeb in Sinai, the mount of God.

As God calls Moses from the mountain, he uses the typology of eagles’ wings as the means by which He brought the Hebrews to Him. However, we know that they did not fly on eagles’ wings. This is symbolic speech. It will be used again.

Revelation 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Either the verse in Revelation refers to God’s supernatural deliverance imposed on a physical world or it is a reference to some country delivering the Jews from danger or, judging by how such a symbology is used in Exodus it is both. God uses human and natural agents to cause His supernatural deliverance, perhaps, as He did here by crushing the Egyptian army and delivering the Hebrews. God saved them but it is their own legs that are hiking them to the mountain.

We’ve seen all through Genesis and Exodus how God uses things and people in our reality to accomplish His purposes. When these are mixed with great events He causes we can understand how He moves things forward in His ministry of reconciling man to Himself.

Moses adds to this symbolic usage of eagles’ wings in a later reference.


Deuteronomy 32:11  As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12  So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

Verses 5 and 6 contain an important set of references.

1 Peter 2:4 ¶  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 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: 10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The followers of Christ are called an holy priesthood who deliver up spiritual sacrifices.

Romans 12:1 ¶  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The children of Israel were called out to be something special for God. The Christian is called to a purpose, as well.

Deuteronomy 33:2  And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

Isaiah 61:6  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Revelation 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

In verse 8 the children of Israel make a promise to God that they will break time and again.

All that the LORD hath spoken we will do…

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