ESOCS Devotional 7 June 2024 – God’s Desire
MEMORY VERSE: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine …” Exodus 19:5
TEXT: EXODUS 19:1-14
In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You 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, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; 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 which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”
So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
10 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. 11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.”
14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes.
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God has always desired to have people close to Him. This was evident right from the Garden of Eden. He has always visited the man He made. Unfortunately, the man failed God by disobedience.
Ever since, God our Father has not let go of that desire. He wants to have people who are special to Him by their own volition. This volition is tested by fulfilling certain conditions stipulated by God.
God is a God of relationship. The relationship is sealed with covenant and obedience. The covenant has two parts: one (the commandments and will of God with promises) is often fulfilled by God, while the other (simple and prompt obedience) is to be fulfilled by man. A covenant involves two persons in agreement with conditions and promises. God in His mercy, grace and goodness made promises to the fore father of Israel, Abraham, which He intended to faithfully keep. He required Israel to show their own faithfulness to Him by obedience. And one of the supreme demands of obedience required from Israel is that they should have no other God but Jehovah. They were to love and worship Him with all their hearts, mind, soul and body. This included time, strength and resources.
God assured them that if they will obey Him and keep His covenant, they will be a peculiar treasure unto Him. Is that not wonderful? That, of all the peoples of the earth, they were to be the most treasured by God.
The same applies to us today. In Christ Jesus, God has made a great and wonderful covenant with us full of love, mercy, grace and goodness. We are to have the life of God called eternal life, the greatest treasure any man could dream of possessing. What are we required to do? Only truly (Luke 6:46) believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and love God and man faithfully (1 John 3:23; Matt. 22:36-39). For anyone that loves has no business with sin (Rom. 13:8-10; Matt. 22:40). As we remain faithful to God in holiness and righteousness, we will radiate as His peculiar treasure. God’s heart desire of having a people close to Him in this wicked world would be fulfilled.
- How do you see and value yourself before God?
- Father Lord God, grant me the grace to love you and be faithful to you always, in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: 2 Kings 19:1-19; Mark 8:34-9:1; Romans 8:1-17
ESOCS Devotional 7 June 2024
