Exodus 19:1-6

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. 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 You yourselves 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, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, 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 that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Exodus 19:1-6)

In this whole paragraph, what sets out is Moses' relationship with God and God's deliverance. At the end of vs 4, God states: "I...brought you to myself." God's deliverance is what has been at work. The Israelites did not see it until it arrived! They were freed from the slavery and all they faced in Egypt. In light of what God has done for us, we need to give ourselves to Him. Apostle Paul writes this in Romans 12, similar to this passage in Exodus: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

What are we doing in light of God's great mercy?
I wonder what Israel was doing after all God had done for them. How were they living differently? From what we have seen so far, they lived much like we do: in complaint, in not seeking Him, in demanding things without realizing the essence of His timing! What are we doing in light of what God has done for us? Or, do we forget depending on the day? Do we live like nothing ever happened? Scary thought, isn't it?

Verses 4-6 is God's Words directed at the people, but also speaks directly to us:

They have seen God work, just as we have. God has done incredibly things in our lives that only HE could do! Now, (in light of experiencing God) how will we serve Him? Reminded of Romans 12:1-2.  In verse 4, God speaks about how He has brought the Israelities to himself. God has done the same for us. God has sent His only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and raised Him to new, vibrant, amazing life. We are given salvation and eternal life! We are given ACCESS to God!! We are no longer God's enemy, but are now a friend of God. God provided a way to reconcile us to Himself. He did the same thing to Israel. He provided a way. He saved Israel, just as He saves those who choose to trust in Him. <3

It's a relationship! We need to make the decision to obey God's voice no matter what the cost, and keep in step with His spirit, seeking to glorify Him in everything, God has wonderful things He is seeking to do. He doesn't want gifts, but our hearts. This is the perfect sacrifice He desires: a broken, contrite heart. Our motive shouldn't be what God can do for us, but what we can give to Him!!

The whole thing is about what God has done for us through His precious son Jesus. He has come and given us better life than we could ever know. More freedom than we could ever experience in this world. It goes back to our relationship with Jesus. What kind of relationship do we have with Him? Is it an open and honest one? Are we coming with a repentant heart? This is what God wants. He wants us to come Him. He longs to welcome us. We need to come to Him with brokenness, and seeking to be obedient to Him. It's about our love relationship with Him!

¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

He are His. He longs to be with us. Are we giving in our relationship with Christ? Or, consumed with taking? We are His chosen possession. He delights in being with us! Are we seeking to glorify God? Are we seeking to please Him and Him alone?!? Or, are we trying to please everyone else?