4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I lifted you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 And now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is mine, 6 and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites.”
Ob and Int:
(1) belong to God
v.4 Brought you to myself, v.5 my special possession out of all the nations, v.6 to me a kingdom of priests
Eagle wings=(NET) The figure compares the way a bird would teach its young to fly and leave the nest with the way Yahweh brought Israel out of Egypt. The bird referred to could be one of several species of eagles, but more likely is the griffin-vulture. The image is that of power and love.
Brought you to myself =(NET) The language here is the language of a bridegroom bringing the bride to the chamber. This may be a deliberate allusion to another metaphor for the covenant relationship.
(2) The command to Israel
v.4 since you have seen...v.5 and now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession...you will be to me a kingdom...
a kingdom of priests=(NET) This kingdom of God will be composed of a priestly people. All the Israelites would be living wholly in God’s service and enjoying the right of access to him. And, as priests, they would have the duty of representing God to the nations, following what they perceived to be the duties of priests—proclaiming God’s word, interceding for people, and making provision for people to find God through atonement (see Deut 33:9, 10).
a holy nation=(NET) They are to be a nation separate and distinct from the rest of the nations. Here is another aspect of their duty. It was one thing to be God’s special possession, but to be that they had to be priestly and holy. The duties of the covenant will specify what it would mean to be a holy nation. In short, they had to keep themselves free from everything that characterized pagan people (S. R. Driver, Exodus, 171). So it is a bilateral covenant: they received special privileges but they must provide special services by the special discipline.
Conclusion: From a historical review of God's love and power, Israel has already experienced God's invitation to come to Him. They were now motivated to obey God and if we do that then they would receive a blessing-to be a kingdom that can show people Who God is, drawing people to God.
Reflection: What is God's eagle wings to me? Have I experienced that? Did I see His invitation to draw me to Him? If yes, am I motivated to obey Him and keep His covenant? Do I live a separated and holy life and represent God and draw people to Him?
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