God's Special Treasure! # 1

God's Special Treasure # 1

"For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure!" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

By nature, all people are alike. Descended from one parent, partaking of one and the same nature, and involved in the same guilt and condemnation: "there is no difference - for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Nature in Abraham was no better than in Pharaoh; nor were the Israelites to be preferred to the Egyptians. But when man has no right - God sees fit to exercise grace. And for the glory of His great name, to manifest His divine nature, and to accomplish His deep and holy purposes - He did put a difference between Israel and the Egyptians. Hence Moses told them, "The Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure!" (Deut. 7:6).

Therefore the people were to dwell alone, and not to be reckoned among the nations. But Israel after the flesh is but a type of the true or spiritual Israel; the people whom God has chosen in His Son, to enjoy salvation, and partake of everlasting glory. The words are, if possible, more applicable to them - than to those of whom they were originally spoken!

Observe, the design, God intended them to be His own, particularly - a special people unto Himself. As He said by the prophet, "This people have I formed for Myself, they shall show forth My praise." He highly prizes them. Yes, it is impossible to say how highly He prizes them. Those are wondrous words, "For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure."

Did the shepherd prize his flock? God calls His people, "His flock, His beautiful flock."

Does the miser prize his wealth? God says of His people, "You shall be a special treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is mine."

Does the prince prize his jewels? God says of His people, "They shall be Mine, in that day when I make up My jewels!"

Does the bridegroom prize  his beloved and dearly purchased bride? It is written, "As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you!"

Does the reigning monarch prize his crown? God has said, "You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

What wondrous love, such expressions as these represent! How precious must the Lord's people be to Him! Truly they are His special treasure!

God CHOSE them to be special unto Himself. He chose out from among others. He chose in preference to others. He chose them to bring them near to Himself, that they may know Him! And by the most wondrous ways - He brings them to the knowledge of Himself, as He is revealed in Jesus.

He chose them, that they might need Him; and so need Him as not to be able to do without Him. Therefore they are brought to feel their need of His grace, wisdom, strength, and presence. Nor can they be supplied from any other source, or be happy - but only as they realize His presence and His love. This shows that He chose them that they might enjoy His presence, and be forever with Him. His tabernacle was pitched in the midst of the typical people, and the symbol of His presence was always with Him. His spiritual presence is ever with His spiritual people - and He will soon collect  them all into His glorious presence - and have them near to Himself forever!

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)