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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Speaking of the nation of Israel, Deuteronomy 7:7-9 tells us, "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of...
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Ariel HaNaviy
Supporter
Why did God choose Israel to be His chosen people? There is a humorous saying that goes, “How odd of God to choose the Jews.” The complexity of one’s answer to this seemingly simple question depends on their definition of who they believe Isra'el to be. The entity known as “chosen Isra'el” is a complex biblical concept, portrayed in the Bible as existing on two levels (Rom 9:6-8), and therefore the question as to why God chose them deserves a detailed (hopefully not confusing) answer. In contemplating the magnitude of the mystery of why God chose Isra'el as his representatives, we affirm that, despite Isra'el’s ups and downs, her position as God's "chosen" reveals the perfect plans of the Father for all to behold (Rom. 11:33-36). Thus, despite, Isra'el’s imperfections, in the end, the Bible promises that “all Isra'el will be saved” (Rom. 11:25-27). In order to understand the successes, failures and responsibilities commensurate with being “chosen according to God’s good pleasure” (Phil 2:13), one needs to understand that chosen Isra'el exists on two levels, National Isra'el, and Remnant Isra'el, with Gentile Christians as “wild olive branches” being grafted, not into National Isra'el, but into Remnant Isra'el alongside the Messianic Jews (Rom. 11:17-24). What is more, Remnant Isra'el and National Isra'el both exist on one single Olive Tree, nourished by the “roots” of the Patriarchs (Rom. 11:17,18). God does not have two trees. God does not have two brides. God has not rejected his bride National Isra'el (Rom. 11:1, 2; Rom. 11:28, 29); he is able to graft unsaved branches back in if they do not persist in unbelief (Rom. 11:23, 24). Chosen National “unsaved” Isra'el • The bride of God (Is 54:5; Jer 3:4; Jer 31:32; Ez 16:8) • Covenant membership/righteousness, rooted in “Law/ethnicity,” is limited and temporal (Rom. 2:17-25; Rom. 3:20, 28; Rom. 4:14; Rom. 9:31, 32; Rom. 10:3, 5; Gal 2:16, 21; Gal 3:2, 5, 10, 11; Gal 5:18) • Circumcised in flesh only (Rom. 2:28; Gal 6:12, 13) • Children of the flesh (Rom. 9:3-7) • Mount Sinai/earthly Jerusalem (Gal 4:21-25) • Torah observance is done by the flesh, and receives praise from men (Matt 23:5, 6; Rom 2:29; Rom. 8:7, 8) • Under bondage/condemnation (Gal 4:1-5, 8; Gal 5:2-4) • Priesthood rooted in Aaron (Ex 28:1; Heb 7:5, 11, 16) • Receive temporal atonement and ritual purification of the flesh only (Lev 16:16; Heb 9:13) Chosen Remnant “saved” Isra'el • The bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 21:9) • Covenant membership/righteousness, rooted in “faith,” is genuine and lasting (Rom. 3:21, 22, 28; Rom. 4:16, 22; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 9:30; Rom. 10:6-13; Gal 2:16; Gal 3:7-11, 14; Gal 5:18) • Circumcised in flesh and heart (Rom. 2:29; Rom. 9:27) • Children of the promise (Rom. 9:8) • Heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26, 28, 31) • Following God's commands is done by the Spirit, and receives praise from God (Rom. 2:29; Rom. 8:9) • No longer under bondage/condemnation (Rom. 8:1; Gal 4:6, 7, 26, 31; Gal 5:1) • Priesthood rooted in Melchizadek/Yeshua (Heb 5:6; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:11, 15, 16, 17) • Receive lasting atonement and spiritual purification of the conscience (Heb 9:14) Conclusions: Combining what we just listed about National Isra'el and Remnant Isra'el, we can outline these brief points about God’s choosing of Isra'el and why: • To be a kingdom of priests and holy nation (Ex 19:6; 1 Pet 2:9) • To showcase God’s nearness to his people and his righteous Torah to the world (Deut 4:5-9) • To safeguard the oracles of God (Rom. 3:2) • To be his firstborn son (Ex 4:22) • To be his bride (Is 54:5; Jer 3:4; Jer 31:32; Ez 16:8) • To bring the Messiah into the world (Matt 1:1; Gal 4:4) • Because he first loved her (Deut 7:7-9; Eph 5:25-27)
nigel wright
Supporter
Why did God choose Israel to be His chosen people? God is eternal, yet He has revealed Himself through the person of Jesus Christ. So eternal God (the I am) who is outside of time & History reveals Himself in time and history. We read in Rev 13:7-8 “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” http://ebible.com/nkjv/Revelation/13/7/-/13/8?ori=405848. Here we observe: Those who worship the beast (in connection with the last days) did not have their names written in the book of life of the the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. See also Rev 17:8. God had predetermined before the foundation of the world that the lamb (Jesus His son) would be slain. This is the very same whom John the baptist proclaimed when he said “ Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 So yes God did predetermine the coming of this lamb. Was this in time & history or before time & history?.......Before. But for God’s word, will and purpose to be fulfilled it has to be worked out through time and history, doesn’t it? So let's determine through scripture how God was and is to bring about the “Lamb” to be our Saviour. Types and shadows: In scripture we find things that show a type or shadow of the true things before we see the true thing. For example we see Israel's captivity in Egypt, the Passover feast and going to the promised land as a type of deliverance from Satan’s rule, to being saved by the lamb out of the world (darkness) into to the Kingdom of God. Col 1:12-14 In the case of a shadow it’s interesting that a shadow can only be cast when the real object is present. Another example is the law given to Moses Hebrews 10:1, and Col 2:16-17 that says “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Preeminence: We are trying to answer “Why did God choose Israel to be His chosen people?” In actual fact we need to understand that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, meaning He is the chosen one of God, furthermore that He is preeminent (before all things and above all things) Col 1:15-20. The elect are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, both Jew & gentile. I believe there is a connection between God & Israel (Christ & the Church) and Adam & Eve see Gen 2:21-23, 1 Corinthians 11:8-13. Eve the woman (a type of Israel-Church) comes out of Adam, a type of Christ, but Adam comes first. (as does Christ) Christ is the head of the church as man is head of the woman.) Verse 12 says “For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.” In order for Christ to be born in the flesh and come from the right lineage, the woman must be from the right lineage, so the woman comes out of the man, but man then comes out of the woman as Gen. 2:23 says, "And Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.'” Salvation is from the Jews John 4:22. So Christ the chosen one (Is 42:1) comes out from the chosen women. So God chooses Israel because He Jesus was to come from her and be saviour or both Jew and gentile. I conclude by saying it's all about God's word: Isa 55:10-12.
Carl Mason
Supporter
God chose Israel for two reasons. First, He loved them; and second for keeping His oath. Deut. 7: 7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers,.... Notice, it was not because of their power, rank or abililty. He just loved them and wanted to do as He promised. What a wonderful God that chooses His people not on theor abilities but by love and promise. John 3:16
Philip Davies
Supporter
They were chosen to be the vehicle by which God would bring his message to the world. And that is all. He didn't choose them to save them in a special way. He didn't plan to treat them more favourable than other races. They were chosen to deliver his message. And once that message is delivered, then the task is over. They no longer have a special role once Jesus has come. There is now no longer Jew or Gentile. None are saved by being born a Jew, we are saved by individual faith in Jesus.
Carolyn Hostetter
Supporter
Why did God choose Israel to be His chosen people? I think a couple of reasons is because of the faith of the patriarchs, specifically Abraham, and God's promises to Abraham. (Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.) The people of Israel were the descendents of Abraham, Isaac (son of Abraham) and Jacob (grandson of Abraham). God changed Jacob's name to Israel in Genesis 32:28, and the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob became the people of Israel. God chose Israel to introduce and carry His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world because of Abraham's faith. Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 17:4-8 As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God. And, of course, we know God had this all planned before the foundations of the world! Thanks. God bless!
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