Reading
Exodus 19:1-8 & 20:1-17

1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

7Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him. 8All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.”

Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh.


Devotional

Exodus is not a stand-alone work it is part of a five-book series, it really begins in Genesis and doesn’t close until the end of Deuteronomy.  It carries and expands the themes that we first saw in Genesis and creates a strong foundation for understanding who God is and his plans rescue humanity.   

 

One theme that we first saw in Genesis in the Garden of Eden was God’s desire to be present with people, of course it went wrong when Adam and Eve sinned and that bond was broken.  Then in chapter 12 of Genesis God gives fresh hope, that he will restore his presence through the family of Abraham and he makes a covenant with him. When we reach the book of Exodus the family of Abraham have grown into the nation of Israel, after all God had promised they would become a great nation.  When God leads the people out of Egypt he again renews his covenant with them.  He will be their God and they would be his own special treasure, his holy nation and later in Exodus he promises to dwell among his people.  In return the people were to keep their part of the covenant and obey God and live as his holy people and they eagerly agree.  To help them keep their part of the agreement God gives them the 10 commandments, his guidelines for holy living.

The 10 commandments teach them how God should be treated as sovereign in their lives and that he alone was to be worshipped. They also set out the importance of how they should treat each other and the value of rest (or Sabbath). Being a child of God whether in the days of Moses or today involves a covenant relationship with God, it is not just a title.  Being a child of God should be reflected in how we worship and how we live.   Perhaps it’s time to examine our relationship with God and reflect on how we live out our lives as his people on a day to day basis. Is God sovereign and first in our lives?  Does the way we live reflect a life of worship to him?  Is the way we treat others in line with what God would want? Is there rest in our lives, so that we can be refreshed and renewed and strengthened to enable us to live for him?   God declares that we are his ‘special treasure,’ our lives should be a reflection of the beautiful promise.