Our forebears would have received tremendous blessings if they would have obeyed God (specifically, being a holy nation, a special treasure, and a kingdom of priests). We, as the Israel of God, are promised the same blessings. Not only did God free ancient Israel, but He gave them a body of laws that (if followed) would keep them free. Unfortunately, ancient Israel did not value being different from the nations around them, but tried to be "just like them." As God's called-out ones, we need to treasure our separation (our being set apart), enabled to follow Christ as part of the Firstfruits, having God's Holy Spirit dwelling in us.