Exodus 19:5b-6 'Although the whole earth is Mine, (As the Lord makes this new covenant with Israel, telling them they will be a special treasure belonging to Him, He also declares that all else who are in the earth, as well as the earth itself, belong to Him. Even though all creation belongs to Him, and even though He could choose whatever and whomever He wanted from all the earth and the heavens, He has chosen us today as His covenant people. While the other nations and peoples on the earth are also His sons, Israel has a special birthright as God's first-born son. As people today who have been grafted into this chosen position through His Son Jesus, we also are God's chosen people and belong wholly to Him.) you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' (Because of this covenant relationship the Lord extends to His people, He explains that He has granted them special privileges and a special position of relationship and proximity to Him. They will be able to approach Him as a priest because He has made them holy. Israel would serve in a priestly position for other peoples because she was the vehicle through whom the Lord chose to speak and deliver His message of hope and salvation and deliverance. Not because of their holiness, but because of the holiness that God declared over them, this people would be special in His sight. Now, instead of being in bondage, God's people would have a special and privileged access to Him, serving Him out of gladness instead of duty. Today, He has chosen us to be His Own, has called us to be His Own inheritance, a witness and ambassador for Him, to minister to Him, to carry out His purposes and plans, and allowing us to be part of the very Family of God.)
