What other biblical examples show God choosing one group over another? Chosen and Passed Over in Psalm 78:67–68 “He rejected the tent of Joseph; He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.” Early Genesis Patterns • Genesis 4:4-5 — God “looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He had no regard for Cain and his offering.” • Genesis 6:8 — “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD,” while the rest of mankind faced the flood. • Genesis 9:26-27 — Blessing on Shem; Canaan is cursed. Patriarchal Line Selections • Genesis 17:18-19 — Ishmael set aside; “No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.” • Genesis 25:23 — “The older will serve the younger.” God chooses Jacob over Esau. • Genesis 48:14-20 — Ephraim blessed above Manasseh, yet later Psalm 78:67 notes Judah chosen over Ephraim. Israel Among the Nations • Exodus 19:5-6 — “You will be My treasured possession… a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” • Deuteronomy 7:6-8 — Chosen “not because you were more numerous… but because the LORD loved you.” Tribal Preferences within Israel • Numbers 3:12-13 — Levi taken in place of every firstborn. • 1 Samuel 16:12-13 — David, the youngest, anointed over his brothers. • 1 Kings 11:32, 36 — Judah retained for David’s sake; ten tribes given to Jeroboam. • Psalm 78:67-70 — Judah and David chosen; Ephraim passed over. The Faithful Remnant • Isaiah 10:20-22 — “Only a remnant will return.” • Romans 11:5 — “At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” From Israel to the Nations • Acts 13:46-48 — Paul turns to the Gentiles; “All who were appointed to eternal life believed.” • 1 Peter 2:9 — “You are a chosen people… that you may proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness.” Principles Revealed • God’s choices are sovereign (Romans 9:11-16). • Selection highlights grace, not human merit (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). • Being chosen carries purpose: worship, witness, and blessing others (Genesis 12:2-3; John 15:16). |
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