"The People Whose God Is Jehovah" - A PEOPLE BECOME A NATION

Although Jehovah had not organized the Israelites as a nation, he recognized them as his people.  Thus, Moses and Aaron were instructed to say to Pharaoh:  "This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, "Send my people away so that they may celebrate a festival tome in the wildnerness." - EXODUS 5:1. 

It took ten plagues and the destruction  of Pharaoh and his armed forces in the waters of the Red Sea to deliver the sons of Israel from Egyptian oppression. (Exodus 15:1-4) Less than three months later, however, Jehovah made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai and gave them this historic promise:  "If you  will strictly obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will certainly become my special property out of all peoples, . . . a holy nation." - EXODUS 19:5, 6.

While in Egypt, before they were reduced to to slavery, the Hebrews were organized as a tribal society, administrated by family heads, or patriarchs. These family heads, like the servants of Jehovah who lived before them, acted as rulers, judges, and priests to their households.  (Genesis 8:20; 18:19; Job 1:4, 5)  Through Moses, however, Jehovah gave the Israelites a law code that would distinguish them from all other nations. (Read Deuteronomy 45:8; Psalm 147:19, 20.)  The Law established a separate priesthood, and justice was administered by "the elders," who were respected for their knowledge  and wisdom.  (Deuteronomy 25:7, 8) The Law codified the religious and social activities of the newborn nation. 

Just before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Jehovah repeated his laws to them, and Moses told them: "Today Jehovah has obtained your declaration that you will become his people, his special property, just as he has promised you, and that you will observe all his commandments and that he will up you high above all the nations that he has made, giving you praise and fame and glory as you prove yourself holy to Jehovah your God." - DEUTERONOMY 26:18, 19.

Next time: "The People Whose God Is Jehovah" - FOREIGN RESIDENTS WELCOME

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