7:6Deuteronomy 7:6

Thou art declared to be a holy people belonging to the Lord, chosen by Him to be His own special treasured peculiar possession above all peoples upon the face of the earth, set apart from other nations.COL 288.4–289.1+2 He did not set His love upon them nor choose them because they were more in number or greater or superior, for they were the fewest and smallest of all peoples, but because He loved them and would keep the oath sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and therefore brought them out with a mighty hand and redeemed them from the house of bondage from Pharaoh king of Egypt.RH Jun 16, 1903+2 He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments, so His holy chosen people must keep and do them, with obedience bringing blessing, increase, wisdom, health and life, and forgetting Him to walk after other gods bringing death and perishing like the nations before them.COL 288.4–289.1+4 Because of that standing they were to wipe out idolatry, make no covenant nor marriage with idolatrous peoples, and remain separate in worship rather than mingle with the world, in order to preserve the knowledge of God and display His purity, goodness, mercy, justice and love so the nations would see the wisdom and superiority of serving Him.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+4 These words also apply now to the Israel of God in the last days, His sanctified Sabbathkeeping peculiar people called to come out and be separate, for special favor does not excuse continued rebellion, and the faithful obedient nation will keep the truth to the end and enter the holy city to see the King in His beauty when Christ comes.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+4

Israel is a holy people belonging to the Lord, chosen by Him to be His own special, treasured and peculiar people above all peoples upon the face of the earth, set apart from other nations and devoted to Him with a purpose and responsibility in that belonging.COL 288.4–289.1+4 Their election did not rest on number, greatness, power or superiority, for they were the fewest and smallest of all peoples, and His choice rested not on their merit, seeking or worth but on His love and His faithfulness to keep the oath sworn to their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.PK 14.3–4+4 For that reason He brought them out with a mighty hand and redeemed them out of the house of bondmen from Pharaoh king of Egypt, after four hundred years of slavery when they were bound down by hard labor and despised, putting a difference between them and the Egyptians and manifesting Himself as the only true and living God so that all nations would know He had chosen them.COL 288.4–289.1+4 He chose a nation newly freed from slavery that needed education and training, offering to be its defense and instruction, and for forty years educated them in the wilderness so they would glorify His name and become a great nation in the sight of surrounding peoples, making it solemn to be stewards of sacred truth.RH Jun 16, 1903+3 That chosen standing is joined to the terms of prosperity: the Lord is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments, statutes and judgments, while He repays those who hate Him to their face to destroy them without slackness, so His people must keep and do what He commands.COL 288.4–289.1+4 Obedience brings His promised covenant mercy, love, blessing, increase, abundance, prosperity, wisdom, vigor of intellect, health and removal of sickness and protection from disease, while disobedience surely brings death.COL 288.4–289.1+2 Keeping covenant to a thousand generations means His commandments stay binding through all time and eternity, are not a burden but commanded for good always to preserve alive in physical, mental and moral health, and will take keepers into the kingdom of God into the presence of God and His holy angels.RH Jun 16, 1903+1

The words were spoken by Christ Himself, the invisible leader, guide and protector of Israel who later healed the sick in Palestine, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, giving them to Moses for the people.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1 Moses spoke them near the close of his long life of patient ministry to urge Israel to keep their eyes fixed on their divine Ruler and to love, fear, walk with and serve Him with all heart, soul and might, fearing Him and walking in all His ways.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1 God especially honored His chosen people at Sinai by coming down from His holy habitation in majesty, glory and awful grandeur to speak the Ten Commandments in the hearing of all the people and to write them with His own finger on tables of stone.Ms 2, 1868, par. 12–14+1 Their errors, disobedience and rebellion did not erase His special regard, for He remained gracious, compassionate and respectful toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so He would not destroy them.Ms 2, 1868, par. 12–14+2

Their distinct status was reflected in a government unlike other nations, with God as lawgiver, source of strength and special leader who gave laws and statutes, chose rulers and was to be consulted in difficulty, and feeling dependence on Him would draw them constantly nearer, elevate and ennoble them and fit them for their high destiny.1SP 353.2+1 Demanding a human king like the nations rejected Him as their special leader, showed distrust in His providence, turned minds from God to human strength, allowed an earthly king to claim honor due to God, and the errors of such a king would lead them into sin and separate the nation from God.1SP 353.2+1 In answer to Moses' intercession God fulfilled His covenant by promising His presence going with Israel to give rest and make them distinct and separate from all peoples on the face of the earth.Ms 52, 1896, par. 60–66+1 Their history as the children of Abraham according to the flesh therefore reveals His compassion, justice, wisdom, power, everlasting love, long-suffering and infinite mercy toward fallen man, underlying Moses' plea for their life on the borders of the Promised Land.RH Mar 18, 1915+2

God did not set His love upon Israel nor choose them because they were more in number, greater, powerful or superior to other peoples, for they were the fewest and smallest of all peoples.RH Jun 16, 1903+4 The choice did not rest on size or greatness but is stated in direct denial that number or might was its ground.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+2

He chose them because He loved them and would keep the oath sworn to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so election rested on His love and covenant faithfulness and not on their merit, seeking or worth.RH Jun 16, 1903+4 Those who hold this teaching add that goodness and love moved Him, not any earning of the choice on their part.Ms 2, 1900, par. 10+2

For that reason He brought them out with a mighty hand and redeemed them out of the house of bondmen from Pharaoh king of Egypt.RH Jun 16, 1903+4 That deliverance came after four hundred years of slavery, when they were bound down by hard labor and despised, and by it He put a difference between them and the Egyptians and manifested Himself as the only true and living God so that all nations would know He had chosen them.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1 Their rescue from bondage displayed His faithfulness to the oath.Ms 63, 1897, par. 20–22+2

He chose a nation newly freed from slavery that needed education and training, and offered to be its defense and instruction under Christ.Ms 64, 1903, par. 4+1 For forty years He educated them in the wilderness so they would glorify His name and become a great nation in the sight of the surrounding peoples, making it a solemn thing to be stewards of sacred truth.Ms 2, 1900, par. 10+1 Placed under that instruction they were to learn heaven's way of life and become an educating power in the world.Lt 112, 1909, par. 22–24+1

The Lord their God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments, while He repays those who hate Him to their face to destroy them without slackness and without delay.RH Jun 16, 1903+4 Therefore His holy chosen people must keep and do His commandments, statutes and judgments that are commanded them, fearing, loving and serving Him under His rule and government.RH Jun 16, 1903+4 Holiness comes through hearkening to and doing His judgments, and reliance is to be placed on Him rather than on their own strength.7MR 309.1–3+1

Obedience brings His promised covenant mercy, love, blessing, increase, abundance and prosperity, with wisdom, vigor of intellect, health, removal of sickness and protection from disease, so that His glory is revealed through them and they are made prominent among the nations.COL 288.4–289.1+4 After eating and being full and building houses and multiplying flocks and silver and gold, their hearts were in danger of being lifted up to forget God and walk after other gods.ST Apr 7, 1898 Forgetting Him through disobedience would cause them surely to perish like the nations destroyed before them, for disobedience of the law of God surely brings death, with reward for obedience and retribution for disobedience.STE 17.2+3

Keeping covenant to a thousand generations means His commandments stay binding and will endure through all time and eternity, carrying keepers into the kingdom of God into the presence of God and His holy angels.STE 17.2+1 They are not given as a burden but were commanded for good always to preserve alive, so that by obedience physical, mental and moral health are preserved and life is lived.STE 17.2+1

These words are part of God's special directions requiring full surrender at the beginning and continuing simplicity of obedience to all the Lord's commandments, with none of the important things specified in His Word neglected.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6 They are to be read to the people carefully and read with personal interest to do what they say, and to be stamped on every soul.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6+1 Every soul is to search the Scriptures for himself and make the Word his study book lest he be found in rebellion, giving close attention to reading and hearing the Word as laborers together with God who labor for the meat that endures to eternal life.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6+1 By this they sanctify self daily according to the Word, gain a perfect experience and stand as overcomers, honoring God and bringing character into harmony with Him, not being fretful even in the family but speaking kindly and teaching without crossness and irritability.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6+2

Because that set-apart chosen standing was given, Israel was to strike and fully wipe out the nations placed before them, and to tear down their altars, smash their pillars, cut down their sacred poles and burn their carved images.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1 That destruction of idolatrous worship was required by the very holiness and special chosenness above every other nation on earth.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1

For the same reason they were to make no agreement with those nations and grant them no favor.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+1 Their distinct calling required them to avoid alliances with idolaters that could draw them away from worshiping God.RH Aug 4, 1904+2 Remaining distinct from idolaters and refusing compromising ties was the safeguard of loyalty to Him.Ms 158, 1902, par. 74–75+1

They were to enter no marriage union with surrounding idolatrous peoples, lest their sons and children be turned aside to serve other gods.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+2 This command urges parents to teach God's law and love, and Solomon violated it by multiplying idolatrous wives whose influence turned his heart and broke the covenant.Ms 38, 1898, par. 2–5+4 Rejecting idolatry and such marriages belonged to the special calling to remain faithful to Him rather than join the nations.RH Aug 4, 1904+3

Their special status called them to remain separate in worship and loyalty rather than unite with the world and its practices.RH Jun 25, 1861+2 They were not to mingle, confederate, or adopt neighboring customs, but to be separated from the world's customs and practices and drawn near to God.1T 282.4–283.3+2 Copying the nations' sins and abominations weakens holy character, loses reverence, provokes God's wrath and brings judgments, as ancient rebellion was visited with judgments in which thousands were slain.Ms 158, 1902, par. 74–75+2 Mingling with the world and departing from God now endangers the signs of being His chosen people and invites the same wrath.1T 282.4–283.3+1

Being set apart means worshiping and serving God alone even when obedience makes His people few and singular against the multitude.Lt 108, 1886, par. 13–17+1 Singularity must not be courted for oddness but must not be feared when duty requires it to avoid sin and dishonor to God.Lt 108, 1886, par. 13–17+1 That includes refusing to follow the multitude in making void God's law, choosing naked duty to obey His commandments rather than keeping Sunday for the Sabbath at the bidding of the man of sin.Lt 108, 1886, par. 13–17+1

God chose Israel as His holy, special people to entrust them with sacred truth and spiritual advantages, setting them apart to preserve the knowledge of Him and to guard that light from corruption while letting it reach a dark world.ST May 7, 1902+2 Their separation was not to withhold light from the nations but to serve as the channel through which it could shine, calling people away from idolatry to serve the living God.ST May 7, 1902+1 The same entrusting rests on His people in this age amid surrounding darkness, for their calling was for the good of the world.8T 25.4–26.1+1

By keeping His commandments and living out His law they were to display His purity, goodness, benevolence, mercy, justice and love, showing forth His praises and restoring His moral image in humanity.6T 12.1+4 Obedience would make their wisdom, understanding and closeness to God visible, so that the world would recognize the wisdom and superiority of those who love, fear and serve Him.6T 12.1+1 God brought them out of Egypt, gave them His law and the knowledge of Scripture with promise of prosperity, vigor of intellect, health and protection from disease, that their example would show His goodness before the nations until Christ's kingdom should fill the earth.Ms 17, 1888, par. 4–5+1 Their privileges made guilt greater if they copied the sins of the nations, for their standing required meeting His conditions.ST Mar 3, 1881

They were to be a kingdom of priests and princes, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar treasure and treasured portion, on condition of obeying His voice and keeping His covenant.6T 222.1–223.1+1 In that obedience He would keep covenant mercy toward them, bless and protect them, and honor them among the nations so His glory would be revealed through them.6T 222.1–223.1+1 Brought out after four hundred years of slavery and placed under Christ's instruction to learn heaven's way of life, they were to become an educating power making known the laws and government of His kingdom.Ms 134, 1899, par. 5–6+1

Their deliverance from bondage and custody of the living oracles were gifts meant to communicate light and bless the world, not to enrich or exalt themselves.COL 369.3–4 They failed when they forgot God and their privilege as His representatives, using blessings for their own glory and withholding from Him the service He required and from others religious guidance and holy example.8T 25.4–26.1 Yet the gospel invitation was to reach everyone, with sacrificial service pointing the nations to Christ so that those who look to Him might live.8T 25.4–26.1

The passage sets forth God's name and character as good, merciful, loving, true, patient, forgiving and just, in contrast to Satan's false picture of Him as harsh and condemnatory.Ms 31, 1911, par. 2–5+1 That is the same character Christ came to reveal to the world.Ms 31, 1911, par. 2–5 God has not left the world without witness but always has loyal chosen people who do not make this world their home, and as long as probation lasts a living witness will be borne by these faithful messengers.ST Jun 2, 1898 Satan with his angels confederates with evil men to counteract their testimony and destroy them, as Christ the Prince of Life was refused, scorned and hunted when He came to His own on an errand of mercy to save and not to condemn, calling all to behold Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.ST Jun 2, 1898

The words spoken to ancient Israel apply now to God's people, the Israel of God in these last days, His church and His institutions in this generation, whom He is purifying to Himself as a peculiar people and establishing in Christ to complete His work as they trust, obey and cooperate with Him.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+4 They were not chosen because they were great in number, powerful or superior, for they were the fewest and smallest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved them and would keep the oath sworn to their fathers, bringing them out with a mighty hand and redeeming them from bondage and slavery under Pharaoh king of Egypt, honored by His presence at Sinai in giving the Ten Commandments, and their errors and rebellion did not erase His special regard.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+4 The same choosing lays the command to reject idolatry and compromising ties with surrounding nations, to come out from the world and be separate, to guard against worldliness and mingling with the world and following its abominations, for as ancient Israel often rebelled and was visited with judgments in which thousands were slain, so departing from God now provokes Him and brings His wrath.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+3 The chosenness requires keeping His commandments and statutes and judgments, for He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments and who repays those who hate Him, and its language belongs to those seeking to obey God and purify their souls through obedience to the truth as modern Israel.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+2

Sabbathkeepers are that sanctified special people, marked by keeping God's Sabbaths and the seventh-day Sabbath as the sign and seal that He sanctifies them, in contrast to keeping Sunday for the Sabbath at the bidding of the man of sin.ST Mar 12, 1896+4 Their distinct calling is reflected in proclaiming the third angel's message and preparing people for the greatest event the world has seen, preserving the seventh day as the memorial of creation and gathering to worship God even when human laws oppose them.Ms 163, 1897, par. 24–26+2 God's people will be few and singular because they worship God and Him only and refuse to worship the prince of this world, and being thus singular for duty's sake to exalt and honor Him places heaven's dignity upon man.Ms 163, 1897, par. 24–26+1 Singularity must not be courted for oddness but must not be feared when duty requires it to avoid sin and dishonor to God, even when the multitude is against them, including refusing to follow the multitude in making void God's law by keeping Sunday in place of the seventh day, choosing naked duty to obey His commandments and refusing Satan's bribe, doing what is right in His sight and walking uprightly even if the world calls it singular.Lt 19, 1893, par. 7–9+1

The chosenness requires coming out from the world to be separate, giving children thorough education in Bible truth apart from the corruption found among children in the public schools.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8 Parents must read Deuteronomy 5 to Deuteronomy 7 with them and obey that instruction, correcting sinful neglect by teaching God's law and love, avoiding marriages and unions with idolaters that could turn sons and children to serve other gods, and training children from very infancy to form characters that will meet the approval of God, a work for their children that nothing else is of sufficient consequence to replace.Ms 67, 1906, par. 5–8+2

Those thus chosen must purify their souls from all commonness, sanctify the Lord in heart and life, pray, take heed to conversation, lay off carelessness, cheapness of speech and frivolity, and set before children, households and associates an example in word and deportment that leads to consecrated loving service to God.STB 628.4–629.2 They are to become intelligent workers and wise counselors who honor sacred truth as those who must give an account for entrusted talents, carefully observing all the directions God has given from the greatest to what may seem the least, a privilege and sacred duty laying especially on all who carry responsibilities in sanitarium work and on all connected with sacred duties.STB 628.4–629.2+1 Their chosen status is the basis for rightly representing truth before the world by the way they conduct their work and arrange their camp meeting, standing higher than any other people on the face of the whole earth as a loyal people distinguished by the sanctifying power of truth revealed in their lives, standing in moral dignity with such close connection with heaven that the Lord God of Israel can give them a place in the earth.Lt 51b, 1894, par. 4–9+1 The principles that exalt a people must be woven into the work through obedience to God's clear light about what to do and what not to do, and physicians must not pursue plans independently of Christ's gospel or of that people among whom God establishes His work, while continued prosperity when departing from that light is due not to righteousness but to great mercy so His name is not dishonored in the world.ApRGC 23.3–5+1

God's people are precious to Him as His special treasure above all other peoples.Lt 15, 1892, par. 3–7+2 Humble, earnest, persevering faith and complete willing obedience reveal a heart filled with grace and with God's abundant grace.Lt 178, 1903, par. 22+1 God's chosen are those who serve Him humbly and yield to Him in willing, complete obedience, acknowledging Him as their God while He calls them His people, and they cannot stand before Him in truth and righteousness while disregarding His laws or exalting themselves.Ms 51, 1907, par. 8–9

Remembering God's faithful dealings with His chosen people revives faith and encourages hope.Lt 15, 1892, par. 3–7 He honors those who honor Him, keeping covenant and mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments even to a thousand generations, having loved Israel and chosen them not because they were numerous or worthy by their own strength but because He loved them and keeps His covenant.Lt 15, 1892, par. 3–7+1

Being chosen and favored does not excuse continued rebellion, for when obstinate disobedience persists past the limits of forbearance, punishment follows.Lt 76, 1898, par. 12–15+1 Those who exalt themselves and insist on their own plans instead of obeying face being blotted out.Lt 259, 1903, par. 8–9 Ancient Israel often rebelled, distrusted and disobeyed, delaying entry to Canaan, dishonoring God, and being visited with judgments in which thousands were slain for not heeding His commands.1T 282.4–283.3+1 Special status did not protect them from destruction when they rejected His requirements and followed their own ways, and their history stands as a warning to obey present light.1T 282.4–283.3+2

Their special standing depended on meeting the conditions set for them and remaining faithful by fearing, loving, serving and obeying Him rather than relying on their own strength.6T 222.1–223.1+2 Their privileges made guilt greater if they copied the sins and abominations of the nations around them.1T 282.4–283.3+1 The temple itself stood as a sign of favor only while they preserved true worship by keeping His commandments.1SP 393.3–394.1 When they depart from clear light about what to do and what not to do, continued prosperity is due not to their own righteousness but to great mercy, so that His name is not dishonored in the world.ApRGC 23.3–5 Jerusalem and the nation once held this favored place, but their national privilege would end when Christ was crucified.GC88 21.1

Holiness comes through hearkening to and doing His judgments, statutes and commandments, and that same keeping is required now in preparation for the great final review, when every character will have been investigated and every case decided for eternity before the Judge of all the earth.7MR 309.1–3 The promise of covenant mercy to a thousand generations reaches forward to the Lord's return, when the generations are complete and Christ comes.Ms 146, 1906, par. 51–54+2 Then the living servants will be translated and the dead raised, and the faithful commandment-keeping nation that kept the truth will see the King in His beauty and enter through the gates of the holy city into the mansions prepared, welcomed because they kept His commandments.Ms 146, 1906, par. 51–54+1 On obedience depends salvation, for He will bring into heaven no one, not father or mother or children, who would not keep His commandments on earth to spoil the heavenly courts, since heaven had one rebellion and will never have another, and only tried keepers who love Him supremely will belong to His kingdom when He comes.Ms 146, 1906, par. 51–54+2 With the whole of chapter 7 and chapters 1 and 8, and with Deuteronomy 4 to 8, this is the word of the Lord giving admonition to those upon whom the ends of the world have come, teaching dependence on every word from God and obedience to Him.STMW9 52.3+1