City Life Starter

I. The Word: Exodus 19:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

II. Study Questions:

1. Read 1 Peter 2:9 and see how Peter applies this text to us as disciples of Jesus.

2. Look at verse 5: Why does God say to obey His voice and not His commands? What does that teach you about Him?

3. What is a kingdom? What is the function of a priest? What do those definitions teach us about God’s plan and mission for all nations?

Ji’s Take

Moses brought the children of Israel to the mountain of God, mount Horeb, where He first appeared to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:2).  In this intimate moment with God and Moses, God does not give the Ten Commandments first, but assures His covenant between the children of Israel and Himself.  The covenant between God and the children of Israel must be carefully studied in that the covenant is not unconditional or ‘unmerited favor’ as some would portray it to be, but it is an absolute conditional clause.  In a conditional clause there are certain conditions for the promises to be kept intact.

“If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5)

If you have read the Old Testament, you are aware of how the children of Israel constantly disobeyed God and broke His covenant.  It would be completely plausible for God to start over with another people, but His covenant exceeded far beyond the children of Israel.  He remembered the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).

God chose Abraham and his descendants for a special purpose, not only so that the children of Israel can solely enjoy the benefits and inheritance but to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  They would be the ones who would proclaim God on earth, that when mankind sees the children of Israel, all the nations would know the one true God.  As the children of God, we enjoy the benefits of knowing God and are known by God, but our duties are far greater than comfort and benefits, but to represent Him honorably and respectably on earth.

Here are take aways from today’s reading:

1. God is the source of our salvation.
2. His covenant is conditional.
3. His love is unconditional.
4. Our identity is found in Him.
5. We are called to represent Him on earth.

Randy’s Reflections

Read Exodus 19:1 again. The wilderness, or desert, or midbar in Hebrew, is one of the most important themes in the Bible. Understanding this one word helps us understand the mind of our Hebrew writers. I love the desert. Well, I love the deserts in Israel. I am not a fan of the sandy deserts like the Sahara, but in Israel…oh my! The desert is a lot of things, but in the Hebrew mind its main function is it is the place where a shepherd takes his flocks to eat.

Look at midbar for a second. Dbar is in the middle of it, and it means word. The mi-dbar is the place of hearing. It is the same word used for a sheep pen and the Holy of Holies. Why then use it for the desert also? Because when life is in the land of milk and honey, when everything is prosperous and easy, you do not listen, or feel the desperation needed, to listen and search for God. But in the desert, in the midbar, you have nothing but brokeness and thirst. Listen to Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for they will be satisfied.” What is He talking about? He is saying that it is better to be thirsty in the desert with God than comfortable and satisfied without God. He is saying that it is in the deserts of life that we hear God’s voice, not in comfort and ease, but in brokeness and starvation. This is where we start Exodus 19, in the desert, the midbar, of Sinai.

Do you see what God is teaching Israel just with the location! “Depend on me, look to me for your food and water, I am your good shepherd, don’t lose this memory or you will lose me!” It is on this idea that the nation of Israel is born. These are a group of people who depend on God for everything. These are a people that believe that one word from God in the midbar is more profitable that 10,000 words from your peers in the city of comfort! That we do not relate to God from a position of strength but weakness and brokeness. Why do you think that immediately after Jesus was baptized He went to the desert for 40 days and nights? Because He knew that it is in the desert that you are stripped of pride and selfishness, and that is when we hear God’s voice just like the Israelites of Exodus 19-20.

This mountain in the desert of Sinai is where the rest of the book of Exodus, all of Leviticus, and the first 10 chapters of Numbers all takes place. That is about 2 years that they stayed encamped at Sinai. So this place cannot be any more important and holy to Israel. This is also the place where Elijah came and heard a word from God as well (1 Kings 19:8). Chapter 19 verse 4 and chapter 20 verse 2 are parallel verses. Stop and read them together a second. Why are these parallel? Why are they the same? In both cases they precede commands. This is incredibly important!

I have heard teachers my whole life say that the Old Testament is law and wrath and the New Testament is grace and mercy. But take a moment and notice the order here. First, God reminds the people of what He did FOR them that they never in a million lifetimes would have been able to do themselves (19:4 & 20:2). It is only after these verses that God gives instruction. Here is what He is saying: grace comes from me first, obedience comes from you after. God ONLY gives His commands after He has, by not any work of us, established a relationship with us. It’s only after He saves us that He begins to sanctify us!

Do you catch that? Do you see the craziness of that? What person, or entity, in human history treats you the same way? None! Not one ever has, nor ever will! Think about Him today! Remember His goodness. Remember that He “bore you on eagles wing’s and brought you to himself.” (19:4) Remember that He alone “brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (20:2) Go to the desert and dessert on His sweet, satisfying, and sacrificial love for you!