Why Did God Choose Israel to Be His Chosen People?

　　Across the ocean in the Middle East sits the nation of Israel. The nation itself is approximately the size of New Jersey, yet this nation has played and will continue to play an important role in the history of the world. Throughout the Bible, the Israelites are referred to as God’s chosen people. If you are new to the faith or even if you aren’t, you might wonder why did God choose Israel to be his chosen people? I mean what is so special about Israel that makes them different from any other nation? The term itself might make it seem as if God surveyed all the nations of the earth and said, that is the one I will choose. That is not exactly how it happened but the fact that they are referred to as God’s chosen people forces you to ask the question why did God choose Israel to be his chosen people? I pray these reasons I share with you will help you understand this a little better.

1. God did not choose a nation; he chose a man.

　　The Lord had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

　　 “I will make you into a great nation,

　　and I will bless you;

　　I will make your name great,

　　and you will be a blessing.

　　 I will bless those who bless you,

　　and whoever curses you I will curse;

　　and all peoples on earth

　　will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3

　　From this promise you see that God did not choose a nation, he chose a man and built a nation from this man. The reason I point this out is because it is not as if God just randomly chose Israel, he made Israel into a great nation and God doing this was a fulfillment of a promise he made to Abraham. This doesn’t make Israel more special; it makes God more special because he keeps his promises. When you think of the nation of Israel, even the very land where Israel sits, let it be a reminder that when God says something he will do it. The Israelites were God’s chosen people because they represent God’s faithfulness to Abraham and that he keeps his word.

　　The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. – Genesis 13:14-15

2. God needed a group that would represent his character in the earth.

　　Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” – Exodus 19:3-6

　　One of God’s purposes for Israel was that they would be a people who would obey him and keep his covenants. By doing this they would be God’s representatives in the earth. Israel would be a model of God’s way of living to the nations around them. If you look at the covenant that was made it was a conditional covenant. If they decided to forsake God’s laws and walk in disobedience, which they often did, they would forfeit many of the blessings and privileges that God offered them. However, the objective remained that God’s desire would be for this nation to be a holy nation set apart for his purpose.

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