\n<\/p>\n
\u201cNow therefore, if you will truly obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my possession among all the nations, and the whole earth is mine; and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation\u201d (Exodus 19:5,6).<\/p>\n
In this age of the world, \u201ckingdom\u201d and \u201cpriesthood\u201d are not everyday concepts, let alone \u201choly nation.\u201d But what did God mean by these words when speaking to Israel at Sinai, and what relevance do they have for us in thinking about the gospel of Christ?<\/p>\n
My prized possession.<\/em> This is what physical Israel was then, and this is what spiritual Israel is today. Those who have been reconciled to God are uniquely His people, His \u201cspecial property\u201d (BBE).<\/p>\n Kingdom of priests.<\/em> In the Mosaic Law, the priests were to represent Israel before God, but they were also to represent God to Israel. By extension, then, Israel was to be a “kingdom of priests” \u2013 that is, they were to represent God to the rest of the world. Today, it is Christians, who come from both the Jewish and Gentile races, who represent God before the seeing eyes (and listening ears) of the world. So, for example, the book of Revelation begins with this hymn: “For he who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood And made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,<\/em> May his glory and sovereignty remain forever. Amen\u201d (1:5,6).<\/p>\n A holy nation.<\/em> God wanted Israel to become what His people in Jesus Christ would later become: a group of people who were “holy.” In other words, they will be specifically dedicated to Him, set apart for His use and reserved for the accomplishment of His purposes.<\/p>\n Writing to Christians, Peter used all of these ideas: \u201cYou are A chosen nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for an inheritance,<\/em> that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light\u201d (1 Peter 2:9).<\/p>\n There is much more that could be said about being a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, but I want to end with the most important way in which God’s people represent Him before the world: We are to be those who speak God’s truth before the world. And the ultimate goal is always the same: people who are based on God Truth,<\/em> Come to share His likeness and enjoy His presence in eternity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are called to be God’s transmitters, to be completely separated from all thoughts that are contrary to His way of thinking, so that we can convey His thoughts to others\u201d (Hannah Hurnard).<\/p>\n Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com<\/a><\/p>\n