Treasures

O.T. #189  "Treasures"
Dec. 16, 2013
Exodus 19-Part 3
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

LET IT GLOW

Do you have any treasures? I only have a few that actually have monetary value. Most are just little things with special value to only me-gifts from my children, pictures drawn by my granddaughter, items my husband brought me from other countries, things friends have shared throughout the years. When I look at these treasures of mine, I feel the love expressed by the giver. So it should be when we look at the things God has given to us. We should feel His love showered upon us. However, am I thankful?

Three titles for Israel was given by the LORD:

1. peculiar treasure
2. kingdom of priests
3. a holy nation.

They were contingent upon Israel's being an obedient and covenant-keeping nation. These titles summarized the divine blessings which such a nation would experience:

• belonging especially to the Lord
• representing Him in the earth
• being set apart to Him for His purposes. [John MacArthur]

In Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, God describes  Israel:

• They were a people dear unto God; not that God was enriched by them, as a man is by his treasure.
• He was pleased to value and esteem them as a man does his treasure.
• They were precious in His sight and honorable (Is. 43:4).
• He set His love upon them (Deut. 7:7).
• God took them under His special care and protection, as a treasure that is kept under lock and key.
• They were given divine revelation, instituted ordinances, promised inclusively eternal life, sent God's prophets, His Spirit was poured out on them, He distinguished them from all people, dignified them above all people.

God would be Israel's God and they would be His people. God described Israel as His peculiar treasure. What a privilege to be valued and esteemed this much! And to be considered God's treasure. Wow! God loves us so much, friends.
Do we love God as a treasure? How much value do we put on His Word to us? Do we esteem and honor Him above all else?

Here are some other Scriptures: Deut. 28:12, 32:34, 33:19; Ps. 135:4; Prov. 15:6; Matthew 6:19-21, 12:35, 13:44, 19:21;

LET IT GROW

So you know that I had to look up peculiar treasure, don't you?
Strong's Concordance says peculiar means to shut up, wealth, jewel, special; treasure refers to a storehouse.

John Calvin's Commentary says peculiar refers to all things most precious, which is deposited in a treasury. A treasure is a peculiar possession.

John Gill describes Israel as: highly valued, carefully preserved, chosen, redeemed, distinguished from all others by particular favors and blessings.

The same principles apply to the Church. As believers in Christ and children of God, we are like Israel, considered to be a special treasure to Him. We have the same privileges and honor as Israel did in the Old Testament.
Peter calls us a "peculiar people" in his letter, 1 Peter 2:9.
God's church was purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:8

Because of all of this, we should remember 1 Corinthians 6:20:For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in you body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Doesn't this make you want to be a peculiar treasure of God's; to be one of God's peculiar people?
Yes indeed. I want these favors and blessings.

LET IT GO

Forget about all those bad names I have called been called; let them go.

I am always a peculiar treasure to God.

Act and talk like a peculiar treasure.

Open up God's treasures and share them with others.

Treasure other people, loving them as God does.

Treasure God's Word.