Did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? (Deuteronomy 4:34)

Just before this statement, Moses begins to discuss the distinct relationship between Israel and the Almighty. He presses the point that, in all of history, how many times had God — or any so called god for that matter — demonstrated great and undeniable signs and wonders in order to call out a nation from among another? The obvious answer is — only one. That is why Israel is to be a set apart nation uniquely distinct from all others. As such, Israel was given a great responsibility to go along with the great distinction of being God’s own people.

That responsibility was clearly defined for them through the statutes, laws and ordinances given to them along with the warning of the consequences that would befall them should they decide to break covenant with God. In a manner of speaking, if they were to behave as the nations, they would be subject to the consequences that the nations suffered. In short, they were (and are) to be a holy nation, not determined by genetics necessarily, but by their lifestyle — their mindset, their words and actions. As the Psalmist said, “He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation; and as for His judgments, they have not known them (Psalm 147:19-20).

In the same vein of thought, what other people exists in the earth who were sought out and purchased through the death of someone who walked this earth 2,000 years ago? What other people is there that, being motivated by love and devotion, commit their lives to live in a way that goes against everything their mortal inclination tempts them to do? What other people have the promise that, if they will be faithful to continue in this commitment, they will be privileged to abide for all eternity with the God of all? The point is that the same Almighty God who displayed signs and wonders then, in order to call out a people, is the same Almighty God who has called you and me out of darkness that we may live in His light. So we’ll close with this thought:

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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