Is Israel Still the “Chosen People?”
The choosing of Israel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob represents one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s love for humanity. Yeshua (Jesus) is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and to the prophets that the nations would be blessed and united in worship of the one true God. Thus, Yeshua is the One who reinforces the election of Israel and affirms it before all peoples, since in Him (Yeshua) the nations are grafted in and made coheirs with Israel in the entire process of redemption.
Modern ideals of “equality” have unfortunately corrupted the correct understanding of what it means for Israel to be “chosen.” We are all equal because the same God created us in His image. We all have within us the Spirit of God and a soul that will return to life in the world to come. No people group is “better” than another, for He delighted in creating the nations with multicultural diversity. The Father shows all of humanity His love with grace, blessing, and mercy.
The Lord’s choices, therefore, have nothing to do with partiality. They are about responsibility.
God’s choosing of Israel was for the redemption of all people, not for themselves alone. If I ask my firstborn son to get the cookies from the pantry to distribute to my extended family, he is chosen (given a responsibility) to bring this blessing to the entire family. It does not reveal a greater love I have for my firstborn; if anything, it reveals the father’s heart for the whole family.
The argument that my firstborn must be more special because he was chosen for the task could be argued in reverse; my other children would most likely be glad that their brother was chosen for that task, and they got to benefit from the Father’s blessing, which he played a part in bringing to the family. Are you catching the analogy?
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great. Be a blessing! I will bless those who bless you and will curse those who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Gen. 12:1–3:)
Yet many argue that since Israel produced the “seed” promised to Abraham, Yeshua (Jesus), God’s role and His affection for Israel have diminished. But this is the opposite of what scripture teaches.
“For you (Israel) are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be His own treasured people out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you or choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples; but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deut. 7:6–9)
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession out of all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the children of Israel.” (Ex. 19:5–6)
“For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; He will again choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.” (Isa. 14:1)
“Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed laws of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name: If these fixed laws ever depart from before Me, declares the LORD, then the offspring of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus says the LORD: If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD.” (Jer. 31:35–37)
“I ask then: Has God rejected His people? By no means! […] God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. (…) As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:1–2, 28–29)
In Numbers 16, the telling of Korah’s rebellion emphasizes the danger of standing against God’s choices. Korah’s actions can be understood not only as opposition to God’s selection of Aaron’s priesthood but also Moses’ leadership–
“Therefore, it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” Num. 16:11
Sadly, the voice of Korah still echoes today, urging believers to dismiss God’s purposes and covenantal distinctions. Korah was not a Gentile; he was a Jew, a renowned Levite. However, he did not accept God’s choices because, for him, God could not choose just one person, since “all are holy.” Those who revolt against the choosing of Israel because “all people are holy” distort God’s purposes on the earth.
The events described in this narrative warn us that we must never rebel against God, but instead seek to align with His choices. Simply put, whoever revolts against God’s will revolts against God Himself.
Rejecting God’s calling of Israel, which He declares is irrevocable, distorts the biblical texts and misrepresents the identity of Yeshua. He is the son of David, the heir of Abraham, the promised Redeemer of Israel. And even in His glorious return, He will still come as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of Israel, and all the nations.
The story of Korah also teaches us that resisting God’s choices leads to loss, confusion, and division, while embracing them leads to blessing, unity, and clarity of purpose. For Gentile believers in today’s increasingly antisemitic world, this means:
- Honoring and acknowledging God’s eternal covenant with Israel, His Chosen People
- Recognizing that Israel’s calling serves the redemption of all nations.
- Understanding that Gentile believers are grafted into Israel’s story, a story far older than their own, which deepens an appreciation of grace.
- Avoiding spiritual pride — Paul warns Gentile believers not to “boast against the branches.” (Rom. 11:18) Humility strengthens unity in the Body of Messiah.
- Celebrating the faithfulness of God – if He is faithful to keep His promises to Israel, He will be faithful to you!
Therefore, Christian friends, do not fight against God’s choices… be blessed by them! You can boldly proclaim the revelation of Peter in the book of Acts, “I truly understand that God is not one to show favoritism, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.” (Acts 10:34–35)
Rejoice that through Yeshua you have been grafted in and brought near to the commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:12-13) and share in the life-giving sap of the patriarchs (Rom 11:17). Israel’s story has become your story, not by erasing Israel, but by joining Israel as “one new man” through Messiah Yeshua!