Was God's promise to Israel in Exodus 19:5 conditional or unconditional?
Exodus 19:5 presents God's promise to Israel as conditional. God told Moses to tell the children of Israel that if they would obey His voice indeed and keep His covenant, then they would be a peculiar treasure unto Him above all people. He left the choice to their will and did not force them.
Les explains that in Exodus 19:5, God was speaking through Moses to the children of Israel just after they came out of Egypt and gathered around Mount Sinai, before the Law and Ten Commandments were given. He emphasizes that God always leaves it up to the will; it was up to them, and He would not force them, but the promise was conditional. The condition was: if you will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people. Les notes this set Israel aside above all other nations as the chosen people, favored nation, and covenant people, sovereignly designated for a unique role in God's program for the whole human race, preparing them to bring other nations to a knowledge of Israel's God.
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:
More Questions
What does the word "if" in Exodus 19:5 mean?
The word "if" in Exodus 19:5 is a conditional word, meaning God's promise to Israel is contingent on their response — God says "if," so it is up to them.
Was God's promise to make Israel a peculiar treasure conditional?
God's promise that Israel should be His peculiar treasure above all people was conditional on their obeying His voice and keeping His covenant; He leaves the choice to their will and does not force them.