It’s easy to undertake any study of God’s law in a sullen way, balking at the idea that anyone else has the right to tell us what to do. Yes, the sinful nature we have inherited from Adam makes all of us hesitant to submit to anyone else’s authority. So often we are little more than overgrown two-year-olds, crying “No!” to anyone who would dare to thwart our plans.

But notice the context in which God gives His law to His people. In verse 4, He reminds them of how He had already freed them from bondage to Pharaoh by sending ten terrible plagues on the Egyptians. He also points out the miraculous way in which He had brought them to Mount Sinai – leading them with a pillar of cloud and fire through the desert (Exodus 13:21-22), giving them safe passage through the parted waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19-22), giving them water to drink (Exodus 15:25; 17:1-7), showering manna on them from heaven (Exodus 16:13-15) and giving them victory over the Amalekites in battle (Exodus 17:8-13).

And it is still the case that, before God asks His people to do anything for Him, He has already done plenty for us. Indeed, none of us can earn God’s favor, even if we were somehow able to keep all of His law perfectly. Instead, we can only respond to the grace He gives us both in our creation and our salvation through our thankful obedience.

Moreover, God doesn’t just order His people to behave so that we can avoid punishment. Instead, God invites His people into relationship with Him. He points out that those who obey Him and keep His covenant are precious to Him – His special treasure (Exodus 19:5). So, it just stands to reason that if those Old Testament people wanted to draw near to God, serving Him as a kingdom of priests, they also had to be a holy nation, consecrated to His service (Exodus 19:6, 13).

And don’t we, as God’s New Testament people, know even more clearly what God has done for us? For we have been freed, not just from worldly slavery but from bondage to sin and death. And we know the price God was willing to pay to accomplish our redemption, to bring us to Himself: the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

So it has never been the case that our law-keeping is what initiates our salvation. No, God brings us into relationship with Himself by His grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. But given the price God has paid for us, doesn’t He deserve not only our thanks and praise but our service and holiness, our genuine, heart-felt obedience? If we want to have a good relationship with the One Who has saved us and made us His own people – His own special treasure – there’s just no other way.

Exodus 19:1-11 (NASB)

In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him.
8 And all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
9 And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I shall come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10 The LORD also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.