Chosen People and God’s Promises
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7:6–8
We often speak of the Israelites as God’s chosen people because that is the way that He referred to them. Long before there was a nation at all, God called Abraham to leave his home and country and journey to a new land. It would be hundreds of years before Israel could truly be called a nation, but God was faithful to keep that promise. When He chooses a people, He follows through with His promises to them.
But the nation of Israel is not the only chosen people referred to in Scripture. The New Testament uses the same language to describe Christians. We are not a random group, but rather a specific and identified body of followers of Jesus Christ. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Like the Israelites, there is much we have been promised that we have not yet received. But every promise of God is faithful and true, and we can count on it coming to pass, no matter how long it may take.
Deuteronomy 7:6–8
We often speak of the Israelites as God’s chosen people because that is the way that He referred to them. Long before there was a nation at all, God called Abraham to leave his home and country and journey to a new land. It would be hundreds of years before Israel could truly be called a nation, but God was faithful to keep that promise. When He chooses a people, He follows through with His promises to them.
But the nation of Israel is not the only chosen people referred to in Scripture. The New Testament uses the same language to describe Christians. We are not a random group, but rather a specific and identified body of followers of Jesus Christ. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Like the Israelites, there is much we have been promised that we have not yet received. But every promise of God is faithful and true, and we can count on it coming to pass, no matter how long it may take.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Remember the promises God has made in His Word, and confidently believe that He will fulfill them.
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