We are now coming to the close of this particular study. We have studied the appropriate passages in both the New Testament and Old or First Testament. I believe we have one more passage that confirms what we have already studied in great detail. We will start with Jehovah’s initial command or charge to the nation of Israel in Exodus
Exodus 19:5 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
As with all of Jehovah’s commands and promises of blessings, we begin with the one unchangeable, undeniable requirement for obedience. The blessings are conditional to the obedience.
19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
Did the nation of Israel, which includes the house of Judah and house of Israel, ever become this kingdom of priests and a holy nation?
The sad answer is that it did not because they did not obey. But now in the New Testament something has changed. This is not an ethnic change but an inward spiritual change.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE,
Peter is writing to a ‘church’ or better said, an assembly, that they are all chosen. No one comes on their own desires or works.
A royal PRIESTHOOD,
This is a very important change in that we are all now part of a royal priesthood. We are not priests in an earthly temple as we are the temple of Jehovah. We are royal because we serve our great High Priest and King.
A HOLY NATION,
Totally separate, totally different, and ultimately pure and undefiled by the world.
A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION,
We have been bought with an infinite cost, the sacrifice of our Redeemer on a cross who has been raised to the right hand of the Father. He is now sitting not standing and there is no more sacrifices needed or required.
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
What is Jehovah’s purpose for choosing us? We are to proclaim what is now evident within us. We are to share our knowledge of Him and praise of Him. Lightness only comes from Jehovah, without Him there is only darkness, the realm of Satan.
2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE,
This tells all of us, who are not considered ethnic connected, that this historical separation is now over. Only by Jehovah’s grace is this possible.
but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;
Only Jehovah can identify, declare, and confirm this new reality. In fact, only true believers in the Messiah are in truly the people of Jehovah. Ethnicity, as we have learned, does not allow us to enter into this new reality.
you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY,
We were all alienated from Jehovah. From the beginning of His redemption from Egypt, only one nation did He choose. But, now salvation has come to all who accept His gift of mercy.
but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Grace is unmerited mercy. We cannot earn it. We certainly don’t deserve it. Yet, He offers it to all who come to His Son. All of these marvelous truths are now ours.
The original priesthood had to be from the tribe of Levi and from the sons of Aaron. Jesus changed all of that. What Israel could not do has now been done to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
We are the Temple of Jehovah’s Spirit. The Holy of Holies is internal not external. All true believers have received all mentioned above.
There is no distinction and no hierarchy. We are all equal in worth at the throne of Jehovah.
Come back next Saturday as we begin a new study on the causes, costs, and consequences of sin.