The Israelites come to a crucial time as they approach Mount Sinai (1-2). The Lord speaks to them with wonderful expressions of love and grace (v3).

The Lord describes what has happened in their deliverance from Egypt as God bringing them on eagles’ wings to Himself (v4). This expression speaks of God acting with majesty, tenderness and power. It also reminds us that salvation is about bringing us into a faithful relationship with the Lord.

Although the Lord owns the whole earth He is calling this nation of Israel to be His treasured possession (v5). They need to respond to this by embracing the covenant relationship God is offering.

The Israelites need to respond by being different, by being a kingdom of priests who worship the Lord, a holy nation, one set apart for the Lord (v6).

The Israelites respond by saying they will do this (v7-8). There is almost the sense of this encounter being like a marriage. The Lord is proposing and the Israelites are saying ‘I do’. They are entering into a covenant relationship together. Have you entered into such a relationship with the Lord? Are you being faithful in this relationship?