Live 4 The LORD

​God’s covenant love is described as stronger than even the most powerful human loves, because it aims at restoration and mercy toward people. 

5  Now therefore, if you will obey my •voice and keep my •covenant, you •shall be my own possession among all peoples•; for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”  (Exodus 19:5–6, RSV2CE)

Exodus 19:5 NABRE

5 Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant,[a] you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine

Exodus 19:5 describes Israel as God’s “treasured possession” in a covenant relationship—meant to form a holy people. 4 The “special” aspect is therefore covenantal and vocational, not “God likes me more in a way that abandons others.”

what does “treasured” mean?

In Catholic terms, “treasured” usually means:

• Chosen for relationship: God’s covenant makes you “children of God” and gives real belonging to Him. 

• Chosen for responsibility: obedience and covenant-keeping are part of what the relationship requires. 

• Chosen for mission (service): covenant holiness grows through doing God’s will and serving your neighbor. 

God’s love for you is not “versus” other people

Catholic teaching stresses that God’s love is benevolent and prior to any merit: “God… shows his love for us… while we were yet sinners [Christ] died for us.” 

Likewise, God’s love is anticipating and unconditional—God does not condition his benevolence on conversion; rather, conversion is a consequence of God’s love. 

God loves all persons as “beloved children,”and no one is excluded from God’s mercy. 

Exodus 19:5 describes Israel as God’s “treasured possession” in a covenant relationship—meant to form a holy people. 4 The “special” aspect is therefore covenantal and vocational, not “God likes me more in a way that abandons others.”

In fact, God’s covenant love is described as stronger than even the most powerful human loves, precisely because it aims at restoration and mercy toward his people. 

Mercy is not “excusing” sin. It is God’s way of offering a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe, while justice remains real. 

Jesus welcomed sinners “with kindness,” loving them and changing their hearts—which shows that God’s mercy reaches even those who are deeply in sin. 

And with St. Thomas Aquinas: charity means loving the sinner as a person capable of happiness, while not approving or loving the sin. 

God can hate the evil (and justice demands it be opposed), while still loving the person as someone to whom mercy is offered.