Israel's status as God's peculiar people was conditional on their obedience to His voice and faithfulness to His covenant.
In Exodus 19:5, God told Israel, 'if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.' Les Feldick emphasizes that the 'if' makes the promise conditional because God never takes away the free will of men or nations (Clip 2). Once that condition was met, Israel would become God's treasured, unique nation.
Exodus 19:5 — This verse directly states the optional condition for Israel to become a peculiar treasure above all people.
In Exodus 19:5, God tells Israel that their special status as a 'peculiar treasure' is not unconditional. The promise is tied to their obedience: '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.' God grounds His right to make this offer in His sovereignty over all the earth. The Bible also records in Deuteronomy 7:6 that Israel was chosen to be a special people to God above all peoples: 'For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that God's language to Israel at the mountain in Exodus 19 is explicitly conditional. He draws attention to the repeated 'if' in Exodus 19:5, noting that God never takes away the free will of men or nations (Clip 2). The condition is 'obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant' (Clips 1, 4). Once that condition is met, Israel becomes a 'peculiar or particular treasure' above all people (Clips 1, 2). Les also explains that 'peculiar' means a treasure of intrinsic value—something beyond comprehension—not merely an ordinary treasure (Clip 6). He teaches that Israel was called to be a separated covenant people; God never instructed the Jew to proselyte the Gentiles, because He was dealing strictly with this covenant nation (Clip 3). Because God is sovereign, and because 'all the earth is His,' He alone had the right to designate one nation above all the rest (Clips 2, 6).
In Exodus 19:5, God required two things: obey His voice 'indeed' and keep His covenant. Les points out that the word 'if' marks the promise as conditional: 'if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure' (Clip 4). He further notes that God does not override human or national free will, so Israel's response mattered (Clip 2).
Les Feldick says the root of 'peculiar' carries the idea of a treasure of intrinsic value—'you can't put a value on it.' This is why Israel would be a treasure 'above all people.' He also calls Israel 'a peculiar or particular treasure,' indicating a distinct, set-apart status (Clips 2, 6). The context shows God would lift Israel out of the mainstream of humanity and place them in covenant relationship as His favored people (Clip 1).
God Himself gives the answer at the end of Exodus 19:5: 'for all the earth is mine.' Les points to God's sovereignty here, explaining that God can designate one nation to be above all the rest because all the earth belongs to Him (Clips 2, 6). In addition, Les teaches that from Abraham's call onward, God separated a distinctive race and nation, Israel, and made them a special, called-out, separated covenant people (Clip 7).
Les says the elevation of Israel above all the nations 'will never change until the dispersions, and then when God brings them back and finishes up the end time scenario, Israel will once again be the head of the nations' (Clip 2). Meanwhile, Israel remains positioned as a unique set-aside nation that no one can infringe upon (Clip 5).
The True Meaning of Israel as a "Peculiar People"
to Jacob as he was hankering to get down in Egypt where Joseph was, He said, "...I am God, the God of thy father, fear not to go down into Egypt." Now the reason it's spoken in the way it is, God up until this time has instructed them not to go to Egypt, because you remember Egypt in Scripture is a picture of the what? Of the world, sinfulness, absolutely.
The Covenant Condition
Les connects Exodus 19:5 to God's promise that Israel would become a peculiar treasure if they obeyed His voice and kept His covenant.
The 'If' Makes It Conditional
Les notes that the word 'if' makes the promise conditional, explains that God never takes away free will, and shows God's sovereignty over all the earth.
A Separated Covenant People
Les teaches that Israel was to remain a separated covenant people and was never instructed to proselyte the Gentiles.
Condition and Result
Les highlights the exact wording of Exodus 19:5—'if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then...'—to show the condition and the promised result.
Unique Set-Aside Nation
Les says Israel is positioned as a unique set-aside nation that no one can infringe upon, and he references Deuteronomy 7:6.
Peculiar Treasure of Intrinsic Value
Les explains that the word 'peculiar' refers to a treasure of intrinsic value beyond comprehension, and that God's sovereignty allows Him to choose one nation above all.
Abraham's Call and Israel's Distinctive Identity
Les says God separated Abraham from mainstream humanity to create the distinctive nation of Israel, who were constantly reminded that they were a special, covenant people.
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 condition and promise for Israel becoming God's peculiar treasure.
Deuteronomy 7:6: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
A later reminder of Israel's special, chosen status as God's holy people.
No. Exodus 19:5 says 'if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure.' Les Feldick notes that God never takes away the free will of men or nations, so the promise was conditional on Israel's response (Clips 2, 4).
Rather than describing odd behavior, Les teaches that the word 'peculiar' refers to a treasure of intrinsic value—something beyond comprehension. Israel's distinction was about being a treasured, set-apart people in God's eyes (Clip 6).
God Himself states in Exodus 19:5, 'for all the earth is mine.' Les emphasizes God's sovereignty: because all the earth belongs to Him, He alone has the right to choose one nation above all others (Clips 2, 6).
Watch the Teaching: The True Meaning of Israel as a "Peculiar People"