The Jewish people were to collectively walk in holiness , to be set apart for God , and to testify of God ’ s love to the nations .
As we celebrate Shavuot and Pentecost this month , we recognize that this is the holiday that is traditionally memorialized for the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mt . Sinai . Moses recounted the story and exhorted the Hebrews before they entered the land of Canaan , “ Adonai said to me , ‘ Gather the people to Me and I will make them hear My words , so that they learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth , and so that they teach their children .’ You came near and stood at the bottom of the mountain while the mountain was blazing with fire up to the heart of the heavens — darkness , cloud , and fog . Adonai spoke to you from the midst of the fire . The sound of words you heard , but a form you did not see — only a voice .“ Deuteronomy 4:9-12 TLV
In Exodus 19:5-6 , God Himself sets Israel apart as a “ treasure from among all the peoples ” and as a “ kingdom of priests ”. Later , Peter recognizes that Israel was the firstfruits of what God intended for all of the body of believers , that we would all become a “ chosen people , a kingdom of priests , a holy nation , and a people for God ’ s own possession .” ( 1 Peter 2:9 )
And later , Moses reminded them that , ” Adonai spoke with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire . ( I was standing between Adonai and you at that time , to tell you the word of Adonai , because you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain .)” Deuteronomy 5:4-5 TLV
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