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. 1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV

God’s people are a peculiar people. When we use the word peculiar, in the English language, we sometimes mean “strange” or “unusual” and, indeed, God’s people do sometimes seem peculiar to the world’s way of thinking. However, the word translated “peculiar” from the Greek New Testament, according to Strong’s Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, has to do, not with being strange, but with acquisition and, by extension, preservation. It means obtain, purchase, and/or save. Peculiar, in 1 Peter 2:9 AMP is rendered this way, “But you are…[God’s] own purchased, special people…”

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior you are chosen generation – a generation planned and ordained by God, hand-selected, and unique; a royal priesthood – you are not just a servant, but a son of God and a member of his royal family; a holy (dedicated), nation – set apart by God Himself; God’s own special, purchased (peculiar) people – you are His priceless, precious treasure! You have been purchased by God – with the blood of Jesus – and you now belong to Him, not yourself. He bought you and He has made Himself responsible for you.

Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. 17 And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him. Malachi 3:16-18 AMP

The word “peculiar” in the Hebrew Old Testament means to shut up as in wealth being closely shut up or protected. If a person owns something precious or valuable, they will treat it differently than the stuff that does not have so high a value. They will put it in a place where it cannot be stolen or damaged. Some things are valuable because they are rare, some things are valuable because they are expensive, but some things are valuable because they mean something to the owner – they have sentimental value. In any case, most of the time, something is valuable only because someone believes it is valuable. In Solomon’s day, there was so much prosperity that there were silver dumps outside the city (1 Kings 10:21)!

God has declared you as valuable to Him – extremely valuable! You are God’s jewel. You are His peculiar – special – treasure. Not only are you precious to Him, but you are protected by Him as well. God has declared that He will protect you, preserve you, and save you. You are kept and guarded by God Himself!

Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine. Exodus 19:5 AMP

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11-14 KJV

God does not treasure or protect the disobedient. What causes you to become God’s treasure – His peculiar possession – is the fact that you have obeyed His voice and kept His covenant. You are purified by the blood of Jesus. You have been “decontaminated” from the impurities of this carnal world. To do His will and keep His commandments is your joy.

This day the Lord your God has commanded you to do these statutes and ordinances. Therefore you shall keep and do them with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being. 17 You have [openly] declared the Lord this day to be your God, [pledging] to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and His commandments and His precepts, and to hearken to His voice. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are His peculiar people as He promised you, and you are to keep all His commandments; 19 And He will make you high above all nations which He has made, in praise and in fame and in honor, and that you shall be a holy people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken. Deuteronomy 26:16-19 AMP

For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations on the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 AMP

What makes a man or woman peculiar is the fact that they are set apart from the rest. They have made a deep commitment to God – His will and His ways. They are not bound by sin and death and they do not walk, talk, or act like people who are. They are a holy, consecrated people! They are free and they are blessed!