How does Deuteronomy 7:6 relate to the message in Psalm 135:4? Setting the Scene Deuteronomy 7:6 and Psalm 135:4 sit centuries apart—one in Moses’ farewell addresses, the other in a worship psalm—but they echo the same heartbeat: God personally chooses a people to be His own special treasure. The Verse in Deuteronomy “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be His treasured possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 7:6) Highlights: • Israel’s identity is rooted in God’s sovereign election. • “Holy” points to separation from the nations for God’s purposes. • “Treasured possession” (segullah) conveys both value and exclusive ownership. The Verse in Psalms “For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.” (Psalm 135:4) Highlights: • Repeats the same key terms—“chosen,” “treasured possession.” • Places God’s election in a worship context; praise flows from remembering election. • Uses “Jacob” to underscore that God’s choice stems from covenant promise, not Israel’s merit. Shared Themes: What Links the Two Verses? • Divine Initiative: Both texts declare that God, not Israel, initiates the relationship (cf. Deuteronomy 7:7–8). • Covenant Continuity: Psalm 135:4 looks back to Deuteronomy 7:6, showing God’s unbroken faithfulness. • Exclusive Ownership: The rare Hebrew word segullah appears in both, emphasizing that Israel belongs to God uniquely (see also Exodus 19:5). • Purpose of Holiness and Praise: Deuteronomy stresses holiness; the Psalm turns that holiness into doxology. Supporting Passages That Reinforce the Connection • Exodus 19:5–6—first instance of “treasured possession,” grounding Israel’s priestly role. • Isaiah 43:20–21—God forms and preserves a people “that they might proclaim My praise.” • Malachi 3:17—God again calls the faithful “My treasured possession” in a future sense. • 1 Peter 2:9—extends the same language to all who are in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike. • Ephesians 1:4—election “before the foundation of the world” shows the pattern continues in the New Covenant. Why This Matters for Us Today • God’s choice of Israel models His grace toward all believers—chosen by mercy, not merit (Titus 3:5). • Being “treasured” fuels assurance. If God prized Israel amid their failures, He secures His church today (Romans 11:29). • Election calls for holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1) and worship (Hebrews 13:15), mirroring Deuteronomy’s command and Psalm 135’s response. • The same God who kept covenant then keeps it now; believers stand on an unchanging foundation (James 1:17). Takeaway Deuteronomy 7:6 proclaims the original covenant reality; Psalm 135:4 turns that reality into praise. Together they reveal a God who elects, treasures, and preserves a people for His glory—then and now. |
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