Our Offering to the World
Exodus
19:1—9. I Peter 2:4—13
After the people of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt.. .they came into the wilderness of Sinai... and there Israel encamped before the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and howl bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth Is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the children of Israel.. .So Moses called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. And all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture; “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a corner-stone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame”.. .“The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.”.. .But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.