December 22, 2014
Deuteronomy 26-Part 3
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
LET IT GLOW
Who doesn't like to feel special? We all do, don't we? It is usually the little things that people do for us that make us feel special. It doesn't take anything dramatic or big. I received a few phone calls from people checking on me during this time of my waiting for surgery. I appreciated them.
What makes you feel special? Does your spouse have to take you out for dinner, buy a gift, or just a sweet kiss or words of encouragement make you feel special?
Do we make others feel special? Do we take the time to show and tell them that they are special to us?
Thank you folks for studying God's Word with me on this blog. You have become a special people to me. I hope I can encourage you to keep your faith in Jesus. Always remember, you are special to God. After all, He became a man in order to provide us with salvation.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary thoroughly explains:
The last four verses of the chapter concluded Moses's explanation of the law's stipulations by calling for the total commitment by Israel to the Lord and His commands. These verses can be viewed as the formal ratification of the Sinaitic covenant between the Lord and the second generation of Israel. In terms of this agreement, acknowledging that the Lord is their God, and promising wholehearted obedience plus a desire to listen to God's voice, the Israelites were assured that they were His people and the chosen over all other nations to receive His blessings and the calling to witness to His glory to all the world. (Ex. 19:5,6).
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments: And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken. (verses 18-19)
What is God telling Israel?
- He has declared them to be His peculiar people. Peculiar means a peculiar treasure, one that is shut up, enclosed as wealth or jewels are; proper; good; special. Israel was to be a special people to God.
- He promised this long ago to their father Abraham, and continued throughout the generations to this second generation of Israel. God had obligated Himself to be Israel's God.(Ex. 19:5)
- He would set them high above all nations, that they should keep His commandments, in praise, name, and honor.
- So they would be a holy people to the Lord their God.
The word avouched is used in verse 17 as an act on Israel's part. Avouched has several meanings, of which is applicable to Israel-to say, answer, speak, tell.
Then in verse 18, avouched is an act on God's part, meaning call, certify, challenge, charge, declare, demand.
Do we desire to be a peculiar, special people to God?
LET IT GROW
Israel was to avouch God as their God. They were to promise their wholehearted obedience.
What were they expected to do, according to verse 16 and 17:
- to keep God's statues and judgments;
- to keep and do them with all their heart and with all their soul;
- avouch God as their God;
- to walk in His ways;
- to keep His statutes and commandments and His judgments;
- to hearken to His voice.
When Israel did those things, they would receive God's blessings and witness His glory to all the world. they would be God's praise, honor, and glory. New Testament Christians are reminded that we are a peculiar people and we are to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, the sanctification of Israel is similar to the sanctification of Christians in the New Testament. (Falwell)
Do you want to be a peculiar people to God? I certainly do.
LET IT GO
Love God with all my heart and soul.
Avouch God as my God to others. Share His salvation and love.
Study God's Word so I can walk in His ways, not my ways.
Obey His voice.
No comments:
Post a Comment