What did God mean when He told the Israelites, “You are a holy nation”? Certainly, they had not been behaving like priests! Scholar Gordon J. Wenham notes that today’s verse effectively sums up the overarching promise of Exodus. “A collection of holy individuals makes a holy nation, which can serve as mediator between God and all the nations of the world. Or as the promise to Abraham put it, ‘In you shall all the families of the earth find blessing’ (Gen. 12:3).”
In today’s reading, God made a covenant or binding contract with Israel, an event which marked the nation’s formal founding and a step in His larger redemptive plan. This covenant took place at Mount Sinai (or Horeb), fulfilling God’s promise to Moses back at the burning bush (Ex. 3:12). As noted previously, the covenant follows the form of an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty, in which the suzerain (king or lord) promises protection and provision in exchange for faithfulness and obedience from the vassal (common people). But it wasn’t really that simple. The Israelites often failed to keep their responsibilities, while God kept His side with perfect faithfulness and love.
This relationship and its purposes went beyond the ordinary cultural form of a treaty. Here, God called Israel His “treasured possession” (v. 5). His deeds on their behalf in Egypt proved His lavish care and generosity (v. 4). Their identity as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (v. 6) wasn’t just about them, but about God’s intention for them to mediate His grace and righteousness to the nations. The people agreed by pledging obedience (vv. 7–8), consecrating themselves, and holding a formal ratification ceremony at the foot of the mountain. This took place about seven weeks after the initial Exodus and would be commemorated annually as the Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15–21).
Pray with Us
Uphold in prayer Moody’s president, Dr. Mark Jobe, as he opens the student Missions Conference today and participates in all other sessions. Ask for the fruitful and spiritually enriching time for all attendees, and specifically for strength and stamina for Dr. Jobe.
BY Brad Baurain
Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.