In the first half of Exodus 19, “the house of Jacob and…the Israelites” encamp before Mt. Sinai from whence God speaks.
Moses went up the mountain to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: ‘…if you will carefully listen to Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites (Exodus 19:3-6).
In exchange for their obedience, God offers Israel three privileges:
They would be His own treasured possession.
They would be His kingdom of priests.
They would be His holy nation.
Why would God offer Israel status as His treasured possession instead of a possessor of treasures? First, they already possess treasures. They left their 430-year enslavement with the spoils of Egypt simply handed to them (Exodus 12:35-36). But more important than Israel’s material wealth is her relationship with God. Out of all the peoples of the world, God chose to place His presence among the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-9). Israel’s wealth is not in what she possesses, but in the presence of the One by whom she is possessed.
Why would God promise that Israel would be a kingdom of priests instead of a family or community of priests? Because being part of a kingdom requires recognition that there is a King. There is One whose rule is authoritative to whom they will bow. The people of God will be a people under God’s authority as their King.
Why would God promise that Israel would be a holy nation instead of a great or mighty nation? Other nations knew greatness. But holiness implies being sacred, set apart, and sanctified for a specific purpose. Israel wasn’t delivered for mere greatness; she was set apart to assure the birth of Jesus Christ.
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