Who doesn't love receiving a free prize? As a kid, I cherished the commute to the bank with my dad, anticipating a prize from the teller. I viewed the bank as my free candy store. Undoubtedly, the teller saw the excitement in my big brown eyes, always giving me a handful of lollipops! The coveted confections were the delight of my soul. I was the goofy kid who would save the candies, hiding them for weeks. I found enjoyment in admiring my treasures, smelling each one, and imagining how each flavor would taste. I would settle into a secluded place to enjoy the sweetness of my favorite flavor, watermelon, for as long as it would last. My little stash of lollipops and hard-sugared-delights was my prized possession, my segulah.
Exodus 19:5-6 records God's promise delivered on Mt Sinai: "'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel." God revealed to Moses that His people would be His treasured possession or segulah. The Hebrew word "segulah" means treasured and valued property, a prized possession. This declaration exposes God's intimate affection for His people. He views us as a thing of extraordinary value, a cherished entity, the best-of-the-best in creation, the cream of the crop.
The Scriptures often portray Christians as the treasured apple of God's eye (Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8, Psalm 17:8). One of my seminary professors, Dr. Gregory Smith, once said that "the apple of God's eye" means that the reflection of one's face can be viewed in God's eye. As God's segulah, we are revered so intimately that our face is displayed in His eye. When my children were small, I remember them grabbing my face, leaning in, and staring into my eyes. They were so close that I could feel their breath. I would never allow just anyone to be that close to me. As God's segulah, we are very close to Him, and this closeness illustrates unparalleled adoration and intimacy.
It is undoubtedly by grace that you and I can be the segulah of God. What are the implications of being His segulah? The Lord's view of me, as His segulah, directly affects my understanding of Him as a loving Father. I should view Him as perfect love. Everything that He performs in my life or allows to happen is out of perfect love for me. According to 1 John 4:19, "God is love." Secondly, His opinion of me exemplifies a warm, caring, and nurturing relationship, and this incites implications on my love for others. I should abandon selfishness and love my neighbors as God loves me. I believe this is what Jesus meant when he instructed us to come to Him as little children (Matthew 18:3). Thirdly, the impact of this gracious and salvific choosing prompts a call to obedience and good works (Ephesians 2:10). Christians must go to work and make disciples of every nation. I am to bring Him glory with my life as my primary measure of obedience (Isaiah 43:7). View yourself as God's treasured possession!
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