We are in Exodus 19:1–9, “Kings and Priests.” This is such a sweet and tender passage; look for that as I read.
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. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 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: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 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; 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.”
So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”
Well, this is the final study of this year's study of the first half of Exodus. The next year we will study Acts, which is a New Testament sister to Exodus. Exodus is the history of God unleashing his power for the beginning of the nation of Israel. And Acts is the history of God unleashing his power for the beginning of his church, the new Israel. And then the following year we will return to Exodus.
This passage is the introduction to the second half of Exodus, having to do with the events around Mount Sinai. And this section begins with God reinstating his covenant with the children of Israel. When it says it was “the third moon,” that was about seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. First thing God says is, “I am going to name you as my treasured possession.” What amazing grace! These people? These rebellious, complaining, doubting, impatient people? You see, God would treasure them, not because of what was in them, not because the track record of their obedience, although he calls them to obedience, but because of the magnitude of his love. They were treasured because they were chosen, not because they had earned that by their righteousness.
The second thing God calls them is a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” He's not talking about the actual priesthood here, or actual kingship here, but he's talking about access to God. Unlike any people group on earth, God's people, living in his presence, are not living like the other nations. And because they're in his presence, they have access to him, the kind of access that only a priest would have. And again, this moment in the life of Israel, immediately, should make us think of a moment in the New Testament. I want to read for you 1 Peter 2:9–12:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his (God’s) own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into this marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you has sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
No matter how small you feel, no matter how alone you are, no matter what you are facing, if you are God's child, you are his treasure possession, you are a member of his royal priesthood, with moment by moment access to him, and you have been set apart, so that by your living, you would proclaim his glory. This means your life has honor, your life has meaning, your life has purpose!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Why do you think it’s so important to remind ourselves of the truth that if we are in Christ, we are a treasured possession of his? What are you regularly tempted to communicate to yourself about your standing with God that sits in opposition to the biblical label of “treasured possession?”
2. How has the magnitude of God’s love in your life transformed you at the heart level? How did your heart transformation directly impact your daily choices and practices?
3. Why is it so vital to understand that being God’s treasured possession can’t be earned?
4. What kind of story are you telling yourself that goes against the truth that your life has honor, meaning, and purpose? How can God and God’s people around you help to rewrite any kind of anti-biblical narrative you’re telling yourself?
For Younger Children:
1. What does it mean to be treasured? Why do you think God cares about us so much?
2. How does God show us that he cares about us?
3. What kind of lies are easy to believe if we don’t understand how God feels about us?
For Older Children:
1. What does it mean to be treasured? Why do you think God calls us his treasured possession?
2.How do you think we should view ourselves, knowing what God thinks about us and what he did for us? What kinds of lies might you be believing about yourself that say the opposite of what God says about you?
3. How can we help each other to live each day with purpose?
You have permission to print, repost, share, distribute, and translate this resource as long as you credit Paul Tripp as the teacher, do not charge for this resource, and do not alter the content in any way. If you require an exception or special permission, please email Info@PaulTripp.com.
