Advent: Wonderful Promises

“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:4-6

There are echoes of the New Covenant throughout the Old Testament. One of these is the deliverance of the nation of Israel through dramatic scenes with God humiliating the false gods of ancient Egypt along with Pharaoh who considered himself to be a god. This is mirrored by the once-and-for-all deliverance of Christ on the cross of all who call on his name and bank on his saving grace. 

Back then, God wanted the people of Israel to know that he had born their burdens and brought the nation not just out of slavery but ultimately and most significantly – to himself. They were to be his most treasured possession. Elsewhere he calls them ‘the apple of his eye’. God’s great plan was always to bring forth a treasured people to be his own and for them to all become priests and a holy nation. It was God’s plan, his strength that carried them and he was to be the final destination.

This Christmas consider the wonderful promises which form the foundation of the grace which so abundantly floods the lives of those who are Christ’s. Consider the wonderful news that you are God’s treasured possession, if you are ‘In Christ’. The price God paid for you was Jesus. There is no greater price that could possibly be paid. If you are still considering and thinking about the claims and teachings of Jesus, may you encounter God this Christmas.