Why could God make Israel His treasure above all people?
God could make Israel His treasure above all people because all the earth belongs to Him. As Sovereign Creator, He owns the world and may do with it whatever He wills. His sovereign right, not Israel's merit, explains why He set them apart as His valued people.
Les explains from Exodus chapter 19 that God calls Israel a treasure unto Him above all people because all the earth is His. He emphasizes that God is Sovereign: He created the world and can do with it whatever He wants, and man can shake his fist in God's face but will never diminish God's sovereignty. So in sovereignty God says to Israel, "I have made you of an intrinsic value to Me, because the world is Mine." This also connects to God's intention that this little nation be a particular people of value He could use to reach the pagan world. The promise then follows that if they would be obedient, they would be unto Him a kingdom of priests, and a priest is a go-between. Every Jew was to be prepared to be a go-between between the pagan world around them and 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 'peculiar treasure' mean when God says Israel will be His peculiar treasure?
The word 'peculiar' in 'peculiar treasure' means a treasure of intrinsic value that is beyond comprehension and cannot be valued, not merely an ordinary treasure of a few thousand or million dollars.
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.