A Peculiar Treasure

A Peculiar Treasure – 4/18 Pm.

Exodus 19:1-6

“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:” Exodus 19:5.

Do not miss the fact that being a peculiar people is contingent upon obedience.

What does it mean to be a “peculiar treasure”? What does it mean to be peculiar? For that matter, what constitutes a treasure?

A treasure is something you cherish, or even love in some diluted form of the word. Usually something of great value.

Peculiar means to belong to HIM only. Now we’re back to the Jealousy we covered this morning. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.” Zechariah 8:2. That being because the children of Israel are something that belongs to God and that He cherishes.

Peculiar also means to be uniquely different, as something pertaining only to you. Sort of like the SIGNET we spoke of this morning. Taken together, these would mean that there is something unique or peculiar in our relationship with God, me to HIM, and HIM to me. We belong to HIM and HE cherishes us.

The Bible has much to say about this special group of people.

· Deuteronomy 7:6 “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

· Deuteronomy 14:2 “for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

· Deuteronomy 26:18 “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;”

· Psalm 135:4 “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.”

· Malachi 3:17 “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”

In summary, this peculiar treasure of God’s is:

· A Holy People, chosen to be special people

· A Holy People, chosen to a peculiar people

· A Chosen People, chosen by God and for His good pleasure

· A People belonging to God; His possession

· Chosen to be HIS inheritance

What is the New Testament’s take on this?

· 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 marvellous light:

· Titus 2:14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

· The Commission for the leadership of HIS people. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. God, through the blood of Jesus Christ, has purchased this people to be HIS peculiar treasure.

· Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Could WE be where God’s heart is? Surely, we must be for HE saw a value in us worth dying for.

As for Calvinism – All the Calvinist have done is to recreate their very own Jewish nation with their very own god. A god, (seemingly like the God of the Jews) who excludes all others. This idea however is contrary to the very mystery of the gospel message; “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” Ephesians 3:6. God so loved the WORLD and He intended for the WORLD, through His Son, the be saved. It’s an open invitation to whosoever will come.

I think perhaps this concept of a peculiar treasure might be best summed up by Ephesians 1:1-14 (READ It) which ultimately reveals that we have become children of God. Let’s turn there and read it together and we’ll close.

To become a child of God’s you must not reject the love that is stronger than death. You must believe on the Son of God, who was sent, out of love for you by the Father, to suffer and to die for you.

If we love Him we serve Him, and if we serve Him we testify of Love, grace, and mercy.