Exodus 17:8-19:15 God instructed Moses to speak to the children of Israel these words:
“Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all
the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and
an holy nation” (Exod. 19:5-6, KJV).
Similar words were spoken by Paul in his letter in Titus. “Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14,
KJV).
Peter also speaks of a peculiar people in 1 Peter 2:9. “But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (KJV).
The Exodus passage speaks of Israel as a peculiar people. Paul and
Peter speak of believers in Jesus Christ (both Jew and Gentile) as
peculiar people. The Hebrew word for peculiar is “a jewel, a treasure,
good, and proper.” The Greek work for peculiar is “being beyond usual,
a special purchased possession, and set apart for a purpose.”
It never bothers me for people to say I’m a little different or I’m
religious. In fact, I have the reputation in my neighborhood as the
lady who prays or “the church lady.” A neighbor I hardly knew asked me
to pray for her husband who needed surgery. As believers we are set
apart for a purpose, and God sees us as a precious treasure purchased
by Him when Jesus died on the cross for us.
We had the privilege of hosting two missionaries in our guest room. The
couple had given up everything to be on the mission field, including a
very successful dental practice. This dentist and his wife were
available to go wherever the Lord wanted to send them. All they wanted
to do while they visited us was to be out witnessing and sharing the
gospel with others. The Lord spoke to me one night as I was going to
sleep, and only a wall separated the head of their bed from the head of
our bed. The Lord said, “You are hosting two of My precious, peculiar
people.” I didn’t understand what that meant then, but I do now.
READ:
Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:33-23:12; Psalm 27:8-14; Proverbs 6:27-35
