Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still MattersSample

Treasured Possession

Jesus intentionally connects Himself with the Sinai covenant—by fulfilling its laws and showing Himself to be the lawgiver, by living out His vocation as a name bearer, and by commissioning His Jewish disciples to do the same. But what about the rest of us? Is Sinai for us, too? 

Peter answers that question without much fanfare. Writing to a mixed audience of Jewish and Gentile believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, he contrasts unbelievers with these Jesus-followers, saying “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s treasured possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV).  

Included in his list are covenant titles given to Israel at Sinai—royal priesthood, holy nation, treasured possession (Exodus 19:5-6). The Gentiles had been outsiders, unchosen, but now they are welcomed into the covenant. If God can restore His rebel children after all they’ve done, why not adopt Gentiles, too? 

“Race” or “people” and “nation” are ironic ways to refer to Peter’s audience, made up of a variety of ethnic groups and scattered throughout an entire region. But Peter doesn’t just slap these titles on his audience without thinking about what they entail. He has a clear picture of the responsibilities of those who bear Yahweh’s name. He tells them, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12 NIV). 

The job of covenant members is to live in a way that shows they belong to Yahweh. He warns them, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. . . . If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:14, 16 NIV). Believers, who are lavishly loved by their heavenly Father, have been given work to do—not so they can earn God’s favor, but so they can bring Him glory among the nations. 

Adapted from Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. Copyright © 2019 by Carmen Joy Imes. Used by permission. For more information, please visit https://ivpress.com/bearing-god-s-name.