The English word "peculiar" comes from the Latin word "peculium," which means private property. In our English use, Webster's New World Dictionary says 1) of only one person, thing, etc.; exclusive, 2) particular; special, 3) odd; strange. We can see that the primary meaning in ancient Roman times was private property. The primary meaning in English is of only one person, thing, or exclusive.
God has called His people to be peculiar. When the children of Israel came to Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and said, "...if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people," (Ex 19:5). The apostle Paul told Titus that Jesus gave Himself that He might redeem us and purify to Himself a peculiar people (Titus 2:14). The apostle Peter also stated that God's people were a peculiar people (I Pet 2:9).
The Bible didn't mean that God's people were strange, but that they were His exclusive property and that we are unique. The world may think we are peculiar in the sense of being strange, but the Bible says we are peculiar in the sense that we belong to God exclusively. In the book of Zechariah, God was talking to the prophet about Zion. God said, "...for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye," (Zech 2:8).
God also spoke to Zechariah about Israel and said they would be as the stones of a crown (Zech 9:16). God spoke again to Malachi at the end of the Old Testament about those that feared the Lord. God made a book of remembrance and put their names in it and said, "And they shall be Mine...in that day when I make My jewels; and I will spare them," (Mal 3:16-17).
Don't ever let the world or the devil take your victory. We are peculiar, but not strange. We belong exclusively to Jesus and in that day when He makes up His crown, the world will see that we are special.
