Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. [2] After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. [3] Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: [4] 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. [6] And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."

 

 *Why did God deliver the children of Israel?* 

 

After four hundred years of bondage, the children of Israel were confused by His primary purpose for delivering them from bondage. 

 

They thought it was all about inheriting a promised land, but it was about something so much more.

 

God's ultimate desire was for intimacy, and He clearly stated His intentions when He addressed the entire nation with these passionate and poetic words:

 _You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you *on eagles' wings* and brought you to Myself._ (Ex. 19:4,)

 

Deuteronomy 32:11 NKJV

As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,

 

Moses uses powerful imagery from the natural world to help us grasp aspects of God’s character.

 

He had been the encircling protector, like a mother eagle who protects her young. The Lord alone had led them. And he alone leads us.

 

God did not deliver the children of lsrael out of Egypt so that they could enjoy the Promised Land.

 

He freed them from their bondage so they could come to know and worship Him. 

 

Exodus 8:1 NLT

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

 

Two months after they left Egypt. God reminded His people why He had delivered them "on eagles' wings." It was to bring the people to Himself.That is, God saved them so that they could enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. 

 

The Israelites had been slaves with no freedom to worship God.Now, with their own land, they could come to know and serve God freely.

 

The Israelites' primary mission  was not to destroy the idolatrous nations of Canaan, not to settle the lands they conquered, and not to establish a new nation, although all of these would be accomplished. 

 

Rather, God called them primarily to be a people who loved and worshipped Him. 

 

Through God's act of deliverance, they came to know Him as an almighty and compassionate God, and they were now free to respond to Him.

 

God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery. Now he was ready to tell them what it was: Israel was to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation so that the whole world would know God through his people.

 

But the people’s sin kept them from entering God’s presence directly—and also from fulfilling their role as priests for the world. So God established Aaron’s descendants from the tribe of Levi as priests (Leviticus 8–9) to represent the entire nation before God. 

 

With the coming of Jesus Christ, God has fulfilled his plan by making it possible for all believers to become holy, “royal priests” (1 Peter 2:9). 

 

The death and resurrection of Christ has allowed each of us to approach God freely and to share his love with the world.

 

Hebrews 4:16 NLT

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

 

 *Activities vs. Intimacy* 

 

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. [40] But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." [41] But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! [42] There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

 

Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this occasion, they were both serving him, but they had different ways of showing their love.

 

Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you’re not spending any time with him? Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about household duties. He was only asking her to set correct priorities. Service to Jesus can degenerate into mere busywork that is totally devoid of devotion to God.

 

We are so activity oriented that we assume we were saved for a task we are to perform rather than for a relationship to enjoy.

 

God uses our activities and circumstances to bring us to Himself. 

 

When He gives us a God-sized assignment, its sheer impossibility brings us back to Him for His enabling. 

 

When God allows us to go through crises, it brings us closer to Him.

 

When you are busy in your activity for God, remember that God leads you to the experiences of life in order to bring you to Himself.

 

Exodus 19:5 NLT

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.

 

Titus 2:14 NLT

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

 

Heavenly Father, We thank You for saving us and delivering us from bondage of sin.You have freed us from the slavery of sin and redeemed us by purchasing our release from captivity with through the crucifixion of Your one and only Son.

 

We are not only free from the sentence of death for our sin, but You have made us *Your very own people and special treasure.* 

 

Thank you for the various assignments you have given us individually and collectively as MAGH.

 

Lord, help us to always remember that the primary reason that You delivered us and gave us specific assignments was so that we could *experience intimacy with You.* 

 

I pray that we will be led by the Holy Spirit on a daily basis so we can fully accomplish everything God wants us to accomplish for Him in this life. In Jesus Name we pray.🙏