We often hear the term “God’s chosen people.” We hear it in reference to the Jews, and Christians often point to Ephesians 1:3-6 to prove it is Christians who are the chosen ones. Who’s right? Perhaps we need to dig a little deeper!

Let’s consider what ‘chosen people’ means, and whether or not there is a difference between the Biblical definition and our western perspective. To those of us in the west, “chosen” typically means “preferred.” I choose chocolate over vanilla because I prefer it!

From a Biblical perspective, “chosen” most often refers to function or purpose. Romans 2:11 reminds us that there is no partiality with God…He doesn’t have favorites. God chooses based on specific purpose. You don’t choose a wire brush to brush your teeth, and you don’t choose a toothbrush to remove rust from a piece of metal. You choose based on the specific purpose you wish to accomplish.

Deuteronomy 7:1-6 contains the first mention in Scripture of Israel being chosen by God. In context, that passage references God bringing the Israelites to their own land and it concludes by declaring God has chosen them (from all the other people on earth) to be a people for His personal possession. He also identifies them as “holy,” which does not mean “perfect,” but “set apart.”

God chose them, not because they were greater than anyone else, but because He (God!) had a specific purpose for them. That purpose, as we have discussed before, is rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, in which God promised descendants and a specific piece of land to the Jewish people forever. (Genesis 12, 15, 17)

Yes, if there is a “Part 1,” surely another part follows! Let’s stop here for today to take time to digest what we just studied. Consider the idea of being chosen (set apart) for a purpose, and how God did that through the Abrahamic Covenant. Tomorrow, we will dive back in to consider why God chose Israel (of all people), and whether or not they are more important than the rest of us!

See you tomorrow!