House of Hope Online

June 7, 2026

Here is a link to the podcast audio:

Or, if you prefer to listen on Spotify, click here:

Maybe it’s just me, but the word “peculiar” has always seemed to have a negative connotation.  In fact, the synonyms for peculiar include abnormal, freak, and odd.  And so, if someone says you are a peculiar person, you might not consider it a complement.

You may be surprised to know that God considers us a peculiar people.

1^st Peter 2:

 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (KJV)

So, if God is calling us peculiar, it is worth exploring the meaning of the word.  You may be happy to know that Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “peculiar” as unique, distinctive, special, and eccentric.  Feel better?

The Greek word for “peculiar” in verse 9 is “peripoiesis,” (pronounced “per-ee-poy’-ay-sis”), and it means purchased, possession, or saving. So, Peter is reminding us that we are so valuable that God purchased us by paying the valuable blood of Jesus.

In the Old Testament, shortly after God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt, God spoke this word into the people through Moses:

Exodus 19:

 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. (KJV)

You can see the similarity between Peter’s words and Moses’ words.  God considers us valuable, special, and distinctive.  The Hebrew word for the expression “peculiar treasure” in Exodus 19:5 means wealth, jewel, proper, good, and special.

In Deuteronomy 14, God calls Israel a peculiar people and a nation above all nations.

Deuteronomy 14:

 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (KJV)

What Peculiar People Do

Ok, so you are a peculiar person.  What does that mean?  How are we unique, distinctive, special, and a valuable treasure worthy of being purchased by the blood of the Lamb without blemish?  What things do we do that make us peculiar?

Jesus Himself answered this question.

John 6:

 28 ¶ They said therefore to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (NASB)

The only thing we need to do is accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  That’s what makes us peculiar.

But accepting Christ is not the only thing we do.  Jesus is the Word.  Once we receive Him, we receive the word of God into our hearts, and we realize some truths that make us peculiar.

• Peculiar People Humbly Depend on Christ.

Philippians 4:

 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (NASB)

John 15:

 4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither [can] you, unless you abide in Me.

 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (NASB)

• Peculiar People Bless the Lord

As part of that humble spirit, peculiar people bless the Lord and praise Him above all.  At the end of his reign as King, David showed us a shining example of how to praise God in prayer and song.

1^st Chronicles 29:

 10 ¶ So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

 11 “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O LORD, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.

 12 “Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone.

 13 “Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. (NASB)

This is powerful praise as it acknowledges that all greatness, power, and glory belong to the Lord.   The victory and all majesty belong to the Lord, and not man.  Indeed, all our peculiarity comes from Him.  And so, we praise Him as David did and we bless His name.

So peculiar!

• Peculiar People Delight in the Lord & His Word

Psalms 37:

 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. (NASB)

Deuteronomy 28:

 1 ¶ “Now it shall be, if you will diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. (NASB)

Peculiar people delight in the logos (written) and rhema (spoken) word of God.

2^nd Timothy 3:

 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NASB)

1^st Corinthians 14:

 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

 40 But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner. (NASB)

Consequences of Being Peculiar

So, while today’s word has clearly established that being a peculiar people is a good thing, there are some consequences of your peculiarity that you may not desire.

Last time we talked about the apostasy, or the falling away, of this world and even some in the Church, from the word of God.  As peculiar people who delight in the Word and hold it to be the inerrant, God-breathed Word, this will put us crossways with many as the day of the Rapture approaches.

John 15:

 18 ¶ “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before [it hated] you.

 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. (NASB)

So, Jesus is saying we might not be the cool kids in school anymore because the world does not know the One who sent Him.  But in John 16, He says we might not even be the cool ones in church either.

John 16:

 1 ¶ “These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling.

 2 “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.

 3 “And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me.

Closing

In closing, as it is so often in our walk with God, what He says to us in the Spirit is so opposed to what is thought or spoken in the natural realm.  While the world considers us peculiar, abnormal, freaky, and odd, God sees us as unique, distinctive, special, valuable, and worth purchasing with His blood.  While we are called judgmental haters by those who do not know the One who sent Him, Jesus calls us a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

As we await His coming, may we persevere in our peculiar nature, and do what peculiar people do.  May we continue to humbly depend on Jesus.  May we bless His name, and delight in Him and His word.

Let us pray.

Father God, thank You for calling us a peculiar people and a valuable treasure.  Thank You, Jesus, for purchasing us for the high price of Your precious blood.  We delight in the Lord and in the power and authenticity of the Word.  May the Holy Spirit help us to hold the word of God in high esteem while the world moves toward apostasy.  We pray that we might be effective witnesses for You in these end times.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

If anyone has not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ in their heart, and desires to do so, please repeat this prayer after me:

Father God, I repent of my sin and ask for forgiveness today.  I confess and declare with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with all my heart that You raised Him from the dead for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus, please come into my heart and change me.  Send the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me in wisdom and to enable me to overcome temptation from this day forth.  Thank You for my salvation.  I look forward to the day of the Rapture when I can be with You forever.  Amen.