Why Was Israel Chosen by God

Definition and Context

Israel’s status as “chosen” refers to a unique relationship established by God. The term “chosen” appears in passages such as Deuteronomy 7:6, where Israel is described as a “people holy to the LORD.” This concept highlights a divinely appointed role for the nation in carrying forward God’s promises and purposes in history. Although the choice of Israel might seem selective, Scripture emphasizes that it stems from God’s grace and faithfulness rather than Israel’s inherent qualities or merit.

Foundations in the Abrahamic Covenant

God’s promise to Abram (later Abraham) provides the initial framework. In Genesis 12:1-2, the LORD says: “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation…” This foundational call points to a covenantal relationship in which Abraham’s descendants become distinct among the nations.

Later, in Genesis 15, God confirms His covenant with Abraham, symbolically passing between the pieces of sacrificial animals (Genesis 15:9-18). By taking on the covenant with no conditions placed on Abraham in that moment, God underscores His intentions to bring these promises to fruition regardless of human failings or external obstacles.

A Nation Set Apart

In the generations after Abraham, his descendants became the twelve tribes that formed the nucleus of Israel. God reiterated His commitment, as seen with Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14). Over time, these descendants grew into a people enslaved in Egypt, only to be delivered through God’s intervention under Moses’ leadership (Exodus 3:7-10).

Upon their deliverance, the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai further clarified their set-apart status. According to Exodus 19:5-6: “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations…and you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” They were chosen to preserve a divine moral order and reveal the character of God’s holiness to the world.

Reasons for the Choice

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 provides a concise explanation: “The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples…But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers.” This text underscores:

1. God’s Love and Grace. Israel’s election illustrates divine love rather than human achievement.

2. Faithfulness to Covenant. God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob necessitated that He remain faithful to bring about the blessings and salvation foreshadowed in that promise.

3. Demonstration of Holiness. By choosing an often “stiff-necked people” (Exodus 32:9) with no claim to greatness, God’s glory is displayed through their deliverance, their laws, and ultimately the Messiah.

[TBC: To see the full article from which this excerpt comes, go to: https://biblehub.com/q/why_was_israel_chosen_by_god.htm