Lessons From The Israelites: Consecration
Devotional Reading: And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.” Exodus 32:29 ESV
When the Israelites left Egypt, they were going on a journey of consecration. The definition of consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. Consecration literally means “association with the sacred.” They were going on a journey that would set them apart from the rest of the world unto God. They were invited to associate with God Himself. God actually invited them to be His special, prized possession, and through desire of what they had, He would draw the rest of the world into a relationship with Himself.
The journey of consecration is to leave everything and be given to one thing alone. It is meant to be a beautiful journey into the heart of God and discovering just how big His heart is for us. This turned out to be quite a hard concept for most of the Israelites, and it didn’t seem to fulfill their dream idea of freedom. They had been slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years and God had come to their rescue. They had known nothing but slavery for many generations. Talk about a big feat to get the mindset of slavery out of them and get the mindset of sonship and true freedom into them.
God wanted a people that demonstrated what a relationship with the divine looks like. The Israelites wanted an earthly King, leaks and garlic, like they were used to in Egypt. They were so used to being told what to do, and, in return having their needs met, that they couldn’t comprehend that God was inviting them into a relationship with Him and all the benefits that came with it.
Are there any areas in your life where you are choosing something that is less than what God has offered you, simply because it’s all that you know? How do you think you can receive the fullness of what God has offered you in your life?
Prayer and Confession
God, I thank You for taking me on a journey of consecration. Thank You for revealing Your heart and nature to me as I follow You. Remind me of all You have for me when I am tempted to settle for less. I long to have a heart that is consecrated to You and receive all of the benefits of being in a relationship with You! I know You are for me and only have the best for me no matter what!
Further Reading: 1Corinthians 6:20, 1Peter 2:9
