The focus on all people groups of the world in the Abrahamic covenant held true for the Mosaic covenant as well. Although, in terms of quantity of material, the weight of content in the books of Moses has to do with ordinances and precepts governing the religious and social life of the Israelite community, the essence of the covenant is recorded in chapters 19 - 24 of Exodus. The first six verses of chapter 19 record a meeting between Moses and God to set up the meetings to follow in which the covenant would be given. God's words at this meeting form something of a preamble, according to Goerner, stating "the reason for God's choice of one people from among all the peoples of the earth, the condition under which any people may continue to serve as God's special people, and the function which they are expected to perform" (emphasis in original). Understanding these verses is essential to understanding all that follows.
The reason for God's choice had to do with ownership. In biblical times, everything in the kingdom technically belonged to the king, but he had some items that he possessed personally. When God says the children of Israel will be his "special treasure" (verse 5, NKJV), the Hebrew word indicates that personal type of possession. However, God maintains His claim to all the earth: "for all the earth is Mine." God had redeemed Israel out of slavery to Egypt and had brought them to Himself. They were His in a special sense, but not to the exclusion of the rest of the nations.
In spite of all that God had already done, the choice of Israel was conditional: "if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant." Obedience to His will is required for any people who wishes to continue in the special status of God's called ones. In spite of their expressed willingness (verse 8), Israel was never truly faithful to the covenant. It was not until the new covenant that genuine obedience was possible. Obedience is still required, but grace makes obedience possible for those who abide in Christ.
The function of God's chosen people is to serve as a priesthood to the other peoples of the world. Goerner writes, "The function of a priest is well-known. He serves as a mediator between God and the congregation he serves. He makes the will of God known to the people and makes the people acceptable to God." God has in mind a nation composed entirely of priests who will minister to the other nations. The priest-kingdom shares what God reveals and leads the nations in the proper worship-response. In this way the chosen nation becomes a channel of blessing to all other nations.
This teaching is important for us to understand. God did not bring us to salvation merely for our own sake. When He included us in His special treasure as His chosen people, He intended for us to function as channels of blessings to others. How well we fulfill that function determines the degree to which we enjoy His continued blessings.
In our prayers today, let us ask God to forgive us for any self-centeredness that has caused us to keep God's blessings for ourselves. May He forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves and our own and for not thinking enough about all the peoples who are His.
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