Yes—God promises obedient Israel that they will be His peculiar treasure above all people, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.
In Exodus 19:5–6, God ties this promise to the condition 'if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant.' Les Feldick emphasizes that God never removes Israel's free will; the nation must choose to obey. Obedience would lift Israel out of the mainstream of humanity into a favored covenant relationship with God.
Exodus 19:5 — This verse directly states the conditional promise: if Israel obeys God's voice and keeps His covenant, they will be a peculiar treasure above all people.
Exodus 19:6 — This verse expands the promise, telling Israel they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Exodus 19:5–6 records God's promise to Israel at Mount Sinai. The wording begins with 'if': '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.' The following verse adds, 'And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.' These verses show that the promise is conditional—obedience is required before Israel receives this special standing. The last phrase of verse 5 grounds God's right to make the promise in His sovereignty over all the earth.
Les Feldick repeatedly points to Exodus 19:5 as the key conditional promise to Israel. The 'if' means God has not removed Israel's free will; the nation must choose to obey. When they do, God will make them a 'peculiar treasure' above all people, which Les describes as lifting Israel out of the mainstream of humanity into a place of covenant relationship as God's favored, chosen people. Les also teaches that the promised 'kingdom of priests' means every Jew was intended to be a go-between—a human link between the pagan world and Israel's God—and that the word 'holy' in 'holy nation' means separated, not perfect.
Yes. God says 'if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant' before making the promise in Exodus 19:5. Les Feldick stresses that God never takes away the free will of men or nations; the 'if' leaves the choice with Israel. Obedience is what brings the promised blessing into effect.
In Exodus 19:5, God calls obedient Israel 'a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.' Les explains that God's design was to elevate Israel above all other nations, lifting them out of the mainstream of humanity into a special covenant relationship as His favored, chosen people.
God promised Israel they would be 'a kingdom of priests' and 'an holy nation' (Exodus 19:6). Les Feldick teaches that the role of 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. 'Holy' in this context means separated, not perfect.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
I guess potatoes work that way as fast as anything. Potatoes and apples are the worst, aren't they? What if you've got a nice container full of good apples or good potatoes? Would you think of putting a half rotten one in the middle of them? How long would it be until the whole group would be just as rotten as what you put in there? Not very long.
The Conditional 'If' in Exodus 19:5
Les teaches that God's promise to Israel is conditional on obedience and that God never takes away the free will of men or nations.
Israel Elevated Above All People
Les explains that the promise to make Israel a peculiar treasure above all people lifts them out of the mainstream of humanity into covenant relationship as God's favored, chosen people.
Why God Chose Abraham: Israel's Purpose Finally Explained
And so in the numbers of antiquity, Israel was the largest nation in that area of the world at 5 or 6 million people. And this was God's promise, that I will make of thee a great nation, I will bless thee and make thy name great, thou shalt be a blessing. I will bless them that bless thee, I will curse them that curse thee, and thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Is God Done With Israel? What the Bible Really Says - Romans 9 Explained
Promises. Promises. My God just promised the nation over and over, see? All right. Now contrary to world opinion that these people presently called Jews, whether they're in Russia or America or in the land of Israel, contrary to what everybody says and thinks concerning these people, turn with me a moment to Deuteronomy chapter 4. Deuteronomy chapter 4. Let's drop down to verse 32.
Israel as Kingdom of Priests
Les teaches that the promise of a kingdom of priests meant every Jew was to be a go-between between the pagan world and Israel's God.
Holy Nation Means Separated
Les clarifies that 'holy' in the phrase 'holy nation' means separated, not perfect.
Is the New Covenant for Israel or the Church? Jeremiah 31 Explained
Why our European ancestors were as lost as they could be, and they still are, and we still are, but the promises belong to the nation of Israel. Here we have yet another covenant in Deuteronomy chapter 30, verse 1. God is speaking, and no one can circumvent God's Word, and it shall come to pass when all these things are come upon thee, the blessings, and the curse which I have set before thee, and…
Exodus 19:5: 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:
This is the direct conditional promise God makes to Israel before the giving of the Law.
Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
This verse expands the promise, revealing that obedient Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a separated nation.
Yes. In Exodus 19:5, God promised that if Israel obeyed His voice and kept His covenant, they would be a peculiar treasure to Him above all people. Les Feldick emphasizes that this was conditional on Israel's choice to obey.
He explained that a priest is a go-between; Israel was being prepared to be the go-between between the pagan world and Israel's God. They would be a holy, or separated, nation—not perfect, but set apart.
The promise of being elevated above all nations as God's peculiar treasure was conditional on obedience. Les said the 'if' in Exodus 19:5 shows that God never takes away free will; blessing flows when Israel obeys.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7