Why did God choose Israel according to Deuteronomy 7:7, despite their size? The Setting in Deuteronomy 7:7 “The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.” What This Verse Tells Us—Plain and Simple • Israel’s head count was not the deciding factor. • God’s affection and choice were not triggered by human impressiveness. • His selection ran counter to the world’s usual admiration for size, strength, or status. Why, Then, Did God Choose Israel? 1. His Sovereign Love (Deuteronomy 7:8) • “Because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers…” • Love here is a free, initiating love—unchained to Israel’s merits, anchored in God’s own heart. 2. His Faithfulness to Covenant Promises • Genesis 12:2-3; 15:5-18—God pledged to Abraham a nation and a land. • Exodus 2:24—He “remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” • Deuteronomy 9:5—Israel receives the land “in order to confirm the word the LORD swore to your fathers.” 3. Displaying Grace Through Weakness • 1 Corinthians 1:27-29—God chooses “the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” • By picking the “fewest,” He showcases that salvation and blessing flow from Him, not human dominance. 4. A Channel of Blessing to the World • Genesis 12:3—“In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” • Isaiah 49:6—Israel called “to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” • God’s choice of a small nation magnifies the ultimate global reach of His plan. Key Takeaways for Today • God’s selections are grounded in His character—love, faithfulness, grace—not in our credentials. • He delights to work through what seems insignificant to highlight His own power. • Trusting His covenant-keeping nature fuels confidence: the same God who kept promises to Israel keeps every promise in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). |
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