Deuteronomy 14:1–2: “You are the children of the LORD your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead. For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

March 1st, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

God was forbidding the Egyptian religious practice of cutting and shaving the head in mourning for a person who had died. Like so many other things His people had learned while in bondage to Egypt, this too was no longer to be observed. Why? The actions themselves might appear innocent enough, but God was reminding them of their special, unique relationship with Him. Over 250 times, Moses reminded Israel of, “the LORD your God.”

The New Testament teaches that those who submit to God’s Lordship enjoy a special relationship with Him, making them also a “special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Peter the Apostle picked up on this truth in his first letter:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Is this a position given to us so we can think and act as if we are better than those who do not know God? Definitely not! The position of being a special treasure means we have a responsibility to humbly take His message of love and grace to those around us every day. What a privilege to represent the King of Kings to those who have not yet met Him.

“LORD, we need Your help to not miss any opportunity that comes our way to speak freely of Your love to others. Give us the grace and confidence to be Your ambassadors to those who cross our paths this day.”