Exodus 19:3-6
3 Moses went up to God, and YHWH 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. 5 Now 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; 6 and 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.” Exodus 19:3-6WEB
Classification
The Command
This passage contains an injunction to obey God in general, and a description of the consequence associated with obedience to that injunction, directed toward Israel: "if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my possession from among all peoples, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
Categories
This passage is part of the Moral Law. It relates to Loving God.
This passage contributes to an understanding of Corporate Judgment, because it describes an action which may be taken by God in response to specific behaviors in Israel, and the action affects all of Israel.
Fulfillment
Israel failed to act in perfect obedience to God. This command was singularly fulfilled by Christ Jesus, who knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21). By believing in Jesus, we have his righteousness imputed to us, so that our sins no longer are counted against us, and we may have peace with God, becoming his possession from among all peoples.
Although through faith our salvation is secured because of the grace of God toward us which was expressed by means of Christ Jesus, undeserving as we are, we do not make void the law by faith. On the contrary, we affirm the law (Romans 3:31). Indeed, how can we who have died to sin still live in it (Romans 6:1-2)? So we do not let sin reign in our mortal bodies; rather, we present ourselves to God in obedience to the law as instruments for righteousness, because we are not under the law (as one who is disobedient - 1 Tim 1:9) but under grace (Romans 6:12-14), and so we recognize the goodness of God's commands (1 Tim 1:6), and it is our joy to follow them (Psalm 19).
Notes on Interpretation/Application
Interpretation 1
Interpretation 2
