Read: Exodus 19:3-6; Leviticus 11:44-45; Lev. 19:1-2; Lev. 20:7-8; Lev. 20:22-26; Lev. 22:32-33, Lev. 26:11-13; Deuteronomy 10:12-16; Deut. 14:1-2; Deut. 26:16-19.

Following the covenant made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), and the dramatic rescue of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt in the exodus, God revealed another covenant. The Mosaic covenant was spoken to and through Moses to the people of Israel.  It revealed in detail how God’s mission would continue.  This small, unorganized ethnic group would be a people set apart from other nations and known as the people or nation of Israel.  By setting them apart, God made them holy.  They would be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exod. 19:6), that God would use to carry out his mission through them.

 

In order to maintain this holiness, God gave detailed instructions for all aspects of life to reflect the worship of the Lord alone.  From the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20) through Deuteronomy, God gave tabernacle, dietary, legal, civil, social, physical, environmental, sacrificial, ritual, and priestly instructions.  As God dwelled among them and these practices were followed, the nation of Israel would be uniquely defined from all others around them.

  • Have you been redeemed, set apart, made holy?  When and how?
  • In what ways have you allowed the worship of God alone to permeate the aspects of your life?  Are there any aspects of your life that still need to be permeated or made holy (relationships, family life, work, school, time, entertainment, finances, church involvement, attitudes, success, use of power or authority, etc.)?
  • Consider your church community, including worship, fellowship, events, administration, outreach, and service to others.  Are all aspects permeated with holiness?  If not, which area(s) need to be redeemed for God to carry out his mission through them?