KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
Key verse: 6
NIV
At Mount Sinai
19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt(A)—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.(B) 2 After they set out from Rephidim,(C) they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.(D)
3 Then Moses went up to God,(E) and the Lord called(F) to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,(G) and how I carried you on eagles’ wings(H) and brought you to myself.(I) 5 Now if you obey me fully(J) and keep my covenant,(K) then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.(L) Although the whole earth(M) is mine, 6 you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests(N) and a holy nation.’(O) These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Footnotes
- Exodus 19:6 Or possession, for the whole earth is mine. 6 You
Cross references
- Exodus 19:1 : S Ex 6:6
- Exodus 19:1 : Nu 1:1; 3:14; 33:15
- Exodus 19:2 : S Ex 17:1
- Exodus 19:2 : S ver 17; S Ex 3:1; Dt 5:2-4
- Exodus 19:3 : Ex 20:21
- Exodus 19:3 : S Ex 3:4; S 25:22; Ac 7:38
- Exodus 19:4 : Dt 29:2; Jos 24:7
- Exodus 19:4 : Dt 32:11; Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31; Jer 4:13; 48:40; Rev 12:14
- Exodus 19:4 : Dt 33:12; Isa 31:5; Eze 16:6
- Exodus 19:5 : Ex 15:26; Dt 6:3; Ps 78:10; Jer 7:23
- Exodus 19:5 : S Ge 17:9; S Ex 3:1
- Exodus 19:5 : S Ex 8:22; S 34:9; S Dt 8:1; S Tit 2:14
- Exodus 19:5 : S Ex 9:29; 1Co 10:26
- Exodus 19:6 : Isa 61:6; 66:21; S 1Pe 2:5
- Exodus 19:6 : Ge 18:19; Lev 11:44-45; Dt 4:37; 7:6; 26:19; 28:9; 29:13; 33:3; Isa 4:3; 62:12; Jer 2:3; Am 3:2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Israel at Mount Sinai
19 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they (A)came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from (B)Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before (C)the mountain, 3 while (D)Moses went up to God. (E)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: 4 (F)‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how (G)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, you shall be (H)my treasured possession among all peoples, for (I)all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a (J)kingdom of priests and (K)a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Read full chapterCross references
- Exodus 19:1 : Num. 33:15
- Exodus 19:2 : ch. 17:1, 8
- Exodus 19:2 : See ch. 3:1
- Exodus 19:3 : ch. 20:21; [Acts 7:38]
- Exodus 19:3 : ch. 3:4
- Exodus 19:4 : Deut. 29:2
- Exodus 19:4 : Deut. 32:11, 12; Isa. 63:9; Rev. 12:14
- Exodus 19:5 : Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps. 135:4; Mal. 3:17; Titus 2:14
- Exodus 19:5 : ch. 9:29; Deut. 10:14; Job 41:11; Ps. 24:1; 50:12; 1 Cor. 10:26
- Exodus 19:6 : 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6
- Exodus 19:6 : Lev. 20:26; Deut. 7:6; 14:21; 26:19; 28:9; Isa. 62:12; 1 Pet. 2:9
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. God leads the people to Sinai (1-3)
Two months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites were led to the Desert of Sinai. Israel camped in front of the Mt. Sinai. Mt. Sinai is considered to be another name for Mt. Horeb, the place where God had appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush (Ex 3). God led them to the place and here God would enter in and confirm his covenant with Israel.
2. God's covenant with his people (4-6)
The Israelites were now free. They were on their way to a new place to begin a new life. God had more in store for them, even more than setting them from bondage. God also desired to enter into a special relationship with the Israelites – a covenant. It would be based on what God had done for them (4), his word (Ex 2
) and their obedience to his word (5), and his great hope and grace (6). God said they would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for himself. In the same way God saves us through Jesus Christ to also be God's special possession, a royal priesthood. As children of God, we are called to declare praises to God (1 Pe 2:9).
Prayer: Father, thank you for the covenant we have with you through Jesus. Help me to live up to your call as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
One Word: A covenant people
