Week 3: A Holy Nation (Exodus 19:1–6)

The Big Idea

At Mount Sinai, holiness moves from a single bush and a single man to an entire nation. God first rescues his people, then calls all of them, farmers, shepherds, mothers, and children, to belong to him as a holy nation with a priestly purpose in the world.

Before You Read

Three months have passed since Israel left Egypt. They have crossed the sea, eaten manna, drunk water from a rock, and fought their first battle. Now they arrive at the same mountain where God met Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:12). What was holy ground for one man now becomes the meeting place for a whole people. Up to this point, holiness had touched a day and a place. Here, for the first time, it reaches an entire nation. This passage comes right before the Ten Commandments, and the order matters: God speaks of what he has done before he speaks of what they must do.

Read

Read Exodus 19:1–6 slowly, twice, and at least once aloud. Pay close attention to who is speaking in verses 3–6 and to the order of what is said.

Observe

1. When and where does this scene take place (vv. 1–2)? How much time has passed since Egypt?
2. In verse 4, God reminds Israel of three things he did. What are they? Which of them happened to the Egyptians and which happened to Israel?
3. Where does God say he brought Israel in verse 4? Was the destination a place or a person?
4. Verse 5 begins with the word "if." What two things does God ask of Israel?
5. List the three things God says Israel will be to him in verses 5–6.
6. What reason does God give in verse 5 for why he can choose a treasured people from among all the others?
7. To whom is Moses supposed to speak these words (v. 6)? Is this message for leaders only or for everyone?

A Word to Notice

Qadash (kah-DAHSH), the verb we met in Week 1, means "to make holy" or "to consecrate." Just after our passage, God tells Moses to consecrate the people (Exodus 19:10, 14), and they wash their clothes and prepare to meet him. Notice who is being consecrated: not only Aaron or a few leaders, but the whole camp. In Genesis God set apart a day. At the bush he set apart a patch of ground. At Sinai he sets apart a people. The holiness that started with God himself keeps reaching outward to take in more of his world.

Interpret

1. Why do you think God reminds Israel of what he has already done (v. 4) before he gives them any commands?Consider: Holiness in the Bible is a response to grace, not a way to earn it. God rescued Israel first, then called them to live as his people. The Ten Commandments open the same way (Exodus 20:2).

2. The image of being carried on eagles' wings (v. 4) is tender and strong at the same time. What does it tell you about how God sees his relationship with Israel?Consider: Look at Deuteronomy 32:11, where God is pictured like an eagle that stirs its nest and carries its young. He is not a distant master but a protector who brings his people to himself.

3. What do you think it means for a whole nation to be a "kingdom of priests"? What does a priest do?Consider: A priest stands between God and people. He brings people near to God and represents God to people. Israel as a whole was to stand in that place for the rest of the nations, because all the earth belongs to God (v. 5).

4. Does the "if" in verse 5 mean Israel had to earn God's favor? How do you hold together God's rescue and Israel's call to obey?Consider: Israel was already rescued before the "if" was spoken. Obedience was the way they would live out and enjoy the relationship, not the way they would buy it.

5. Cross-reference: Read 1 Peter 2:9–10. Peter uses this very language for the church. What does that tell us about how Christians should read Exodus 19?Consider: The calling given to Israel at Sinai is now extended to all who belong to Christ, Jew and Gentile alike. Every believer, not only pastors and missionaries, is part of this holy and priestly people.

Apply: Let the Text Read You

1. God said he brought Israel to himself. When you think about your own salvation, do you think of it more as being brought out of something or being brought to Someone? What difference might that make in how you live?
2. Holiness at Sinai belonged to the whole people, not just the religious professionals. Are there ways you have assumed holiness is mainly the pastor's job? Where might God be calling you to see yourself as part of his priestly people?
3. A priest brings others near to God. Who are the people in your daily life, at the grain elevator, the sale barn, the clinic, the kitchen table, whom you are placed among on God's behalf?
4. Think about the word "treasured." Is it hard for you to believe God treasures you? What would change this week if you believed it?

Pray

Father, you carried your people out of slavery and brought them to yourself. Thank you for carrying me through Christ. Make our church a holy people and a kingdom of priests in this place, so that our neighbors see your goodness in us. Amen.

For Groups (optional)

• Discussion starter: Ask, "What's the difference between belonging to a group because you earned your way in and belonging because someone brought you in?" Connect the answers to verse 4.
• Spend a few minutes listing together the ordinary roles people in your group fill each week. Pray over those roles as priestly work.
• If your group wants homework, read Exodus 19:7–25 before next week to see how the people prepared to meet God.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.