GOD'S CHOSEN

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

Have you ever wondered why God chose the Jewish people, as His favored people ? ( Amos 3:2 ) Why, I have been there and done that, many times in my Christian life. It just seems inconsistent, given the many scriptures concerning God's love for all people, ( John 3:16 ) why He would pick out one particular race. Especially when this race seemed to have a history of rebellion against Him.

For example Abraham committed sin when he gave his wife to another man to get his way. ( Genesis 12:11-20 ) Jacob lied. ( Genesis 27: 24 ) Moses was a murderer. ( Exodus 2:12 ) David was an adulterer and a murderer. ( 2 Samuel 11:2-4, 15 ) And Solomon was a sex addict. ( 1 Kings 11:1-3 ) So then why did He choose them.

However, just as in Bible times, sin has always been prevalent, with the Jews as well as Gentiles alike. ( 1 John 1:9) When you came to Christ, for the forgiveness of your sin debt, which was the result of man's fall in the Garden of Eden, ( Genesis 3:1-7 ) God didn't turn you away because of the future sinful acts you might commit against Him. ( Matthew 18:22 ) You see God loved you from the very beginning of time. ( Romans 5:8 ) There's a line in an old favorite Christian song that states, " He knew me, yet he loved me".

So, God chose the Jewish people, not because of who they were or what they may do, but because of who He is. It was His mercy to at least some of the people He had created and who had betrayed Him when Adam and Eve fell from His grace in the Garden of Eden .

And when He chose them, He was making a lasting treaty with a portion of humanity and He will never, nor can He, go back on His promise regardless of the current world view of His people or their territory.

This doesn't mean that God will not punish those who disobey Him, be they Jews or Gentiles. You see, God has given us all certain stipulations in the Bible. Blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 ) Again, these conditions are not because who man is but because who God is and He will follow His requisites to the very end. God was, is and will always be Holy. And God cannot tolerate sin.

The Jews were also called out to be a "light to the nations" ( Isaiah 42:6 ) by doing good in the world through their acts of kindness. Nevertheless, many modern day Jewish people feel uncomfortable with the term " Chosen People".

In today's world we find three distinct movements of the Jews race.

Reform Judaism- views the term " Chosen People" to just be a metaphor for the choices we make in our lives. In other words, Jews must make a choice, at some point in their lives, whether or not they want to remain Jewish. Just as God chose to give the Israelites the "Torah" , modern Jews must decide their relationship with their God.

Conservative Judaism- views the term " Chosen People" as a means of entering into a relationship with God to change the world for the better.

Orthodox Judaism- views the term " Chosen People" to be a spiritual calling tying them to the Holy Torah and Mizot, in which they have been commanded to make a part of their lives.

According to Jewish principles, they have been named " God's Chosen People" to make the idea of one God ( monotheism ) known to the whole world. And it all began with Abraham, by him and his descendants sharing the word of God with others, and evolved down through the centuries, ( 2 Samuel 7:13 ) by way of the message of Christ Jesus for all mankind. ( Romans 1:16 )

You see, beloved, God sent His Divine Son in the flesh, ( John 3:16 ) a little Jewish boy ( Matthew 12:23 ) and descended of David, ( Luke 1:32 ) ( Romans 1:3 ) to save the whole world from their sins, ( Matthew 1:21 ) Jew and Gentile alike.

Now, all kindred and all nations need to be regenerated with God, due to mans fall in the Garden of Eden, ( Romans 5:12 ) ( Romans 6:23 ) And this may only be accomplished by excepting the finished work of God's Son on the cross. ( John 10:11, 15, 17, 18 ) ( Acts 2:23–24; 3:18 )

As adopted sons of Abraham, ( Galatians 3:8 ) ( Romans 11:17) we Gentiles now have a mandate to share the gospel with the whole world, . ( Mark 16:15 ) ( Matthew 28:19 ) Jew and gentile alike.

Yes, the Jewish race is truly God's "People" . And God Almighty gave Jerusalem to Israel as an everlasting covenant. ( Genesis 17:7-8 ) ( Psalm 105:8-11 ) ( Hebrews 6:13 )

Down through history, God has cursed all nations that have come against Jerusalem ( Israel ). Most of which no longer exist or have greatly been weakened. ( Zechariah 2:8-9 ) God voiced a blessing on those who bless Jerusalem ( Psalm 132:13-18) and pronounced a curse upon those who curse Jerusalem. ( Genesis 12:1-2 )

So, what about it, America ? There was a time when America stood by Israel. Where do we, as a nation, stand now ? And what will be our stand in the future ?.

Are we now living in a time of judgment ? We see civil unrest, lawlessness, a struggling economy, political corruption, major natural disasters, and the like, all around us. As a nation, we need to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph, and start living for God, before it's too late. ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 )

God Bless His People !