1. On eagles' wings (1-4)

The Israelites were deeply infected by a slave mentality. They were childish--thoughtless, quarrelsome, irresponsible and demanding. They needed God's discipline. An eagle trains the young eaglet to fly by dropping him and catching him (Dt 32:11). God brought his people out of Egypt and led them through the desert to Mount Sinai on eagles' wings. In the desert they faced hunger, thirst and enemies; God taught them his power and his love. Now he was ready to give them his word.

2. A kingdom of priests (5-8)

There were many nations in the world, but God chose Israel. He wanted to give them his word, and make a covenant with them--an extension of his promise to Abraham. He wanted to bless them and train them to live by his word so that they could become a holy nation. He wanted to use them as a kingdom of priests--his missionaries to bring the rest of the world back to himself.

Application: Lord, thank you for your word and your calling. Help us to become a kingdom of priests to serve you in our time.
One Word: Holy nation; kingdom of priests