Why did God choose Israel?

[Chad]

"Why did God choose Israel to be His chosen people?"

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 all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”

God chose the nation of Israel to be the people through whom Jesus Christ would be born – the Savior from sin and death (John 3:16). God first promised the Messiah after Adam and Eve’s fall into sin (Genesis chapter 3). God later confirmed that the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3). Jesus Christ is the ultimate reason why God chose Israel to be His chosen people. God did not have to have a “chosen people,” but He decided to do it that way. Jesus had to come from some nation of people, and God chose Israel.

However, God’s reason for choosing the nation of Israel was not solely for the purpose of producing the Messiah. God’s desire for Israel was that they would go and teach others about Him. Israel was to be a nation of priests, prophets, and missionaries to the world. God’s intent was for Israel to be a distinct people, a nation of people the pointed others towards God and His promised provision of a Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior. For the most part, Israel failed in this task. However, God’s ultimate purpose for Israel, that of bringing for the Messiah and Savior, was fulfilled perfectly – in the Person of Jesus Christ.

article: gotquestions.org

 

[rhomphaia]

My view

Hello dear chad!

I am just sooooooo surprised that No one has replied to this important blog! You see, i had read the above scriptures and the others in Romans for such along time, but i have always wondered, "why Israel?"

God answered the question some time back when watching Hal Lindsey's "international intelligence briefing" .You see, the forefathers of the children of Israel, especially from Noah onwards,were "God-conscious".They had first-hand knowledge of the True God,all the way from the time of Adam.While the rest of mankind,especially after the time of the tower of babel, were busy "exchanging the image of the Immortal God" for images of birds and animals,Israel was awakening to God-consciousness through the forefather Abraham,who left his nativeland to seek a God he did not really know.Read the first chapters of romans for more insight.

It was easier for God to reveal himself to Israel in Moses' time by using the lore of info the jews had from the time of Adam to Moses.They were "weak and few in number", but God loved them anyway.Paul says in the book of Romans that the jews are "beloved on account of the partriarchs". God has fond memories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and still remembers the covenants He made with them even though they are now dead bones.

God bless you.

 

[jiggyfly]

I am not sure why God chose the people of Israel but I am sure that the reasons are nothing for Israel to boast in themselves.

Here's another scripture that comes to mind concerning God's dealings with mankind.

1Corinthians 1:26-31
26*Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. 27*Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28*God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, 29*so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30*God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom. 31*As the Scriptures say,
“The person who wishes to boast
should boast only of what the Lord has done.”*

 

[abigya]

I am not sure why God chose the people of Israel but I am sure that the reasons are nothing for Israel to boast in themselves.

I agree, some more scriptures on this.


Romans 9:13-20 (Amplified Bible)
13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (held in relative disregard in comparison with My feeling for Jacob).

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over.
18So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills.

 

[ChloeBelle]

A little addition: Abraham believed in the Lord and He accounted it to him for righteousness. The Lord always kept a remnant who were faithful to Him and always will.

 

[stephen]

The words 'why' and 'how' have brought great financial gain to those who write books.

'How to' books flood the Christian book stalls

'Why' is in hot pursuit

Such may provide good reading and biblical exegesis to benifit all mankind...... who can tell.

'by grace I am saved.........which is the gift of God, not of works lest any should boast'.

Likewise God chose Abram. There is nothing to indicate that he was of any distinction in himself. Man had fallen in Adam and there was no way back to God at this time.

Abram heard God's call and he left his idolotry and went out from his place of abode 'not knowing wither he went' Lot went with him.
Lot was not called.

So the wonderful story of God's plan for the Redemption of mankind, and the call of God in the human heart begins.

It really began with the story of a garden...........and ends with a City of Gold.

 

[jari]

Israel is like a baby that God grew up (Eze 16:6). It did not grew on its own at any point, thats just what it tells me... God forsees everything and has planned everything.