Topical Bible: The Jews: A Special People

◄ The Jews: A Special People ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Jews, also known as the Israelites or Hebrews, are a people with a unique and divinely ordained role in the biblical narrative. Their account begins with the patriarch Abraham, whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldeans to establish a covenant relationship. This covenant, as recorded in Genesis 12:1-3, promised that Abraham would become a great nation, that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.

Covenant and Law

The special status of the Jews is further solidified through the covenant at Mount Sinai, where God gives the Law to Moses. This Law, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments and expanded in the Torah, sets the Israelites apart as a holy nation. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Chosen People

The concept of the Jews as God's chosen people is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all the peoples on the face of the earth." This election is not based on their merit or size but on God's love and faithfulness to His promises to the patriarchs.

Role in Salvation History

The Jews play a central role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Through them, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is born, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. Romans 9:4-5 highlights their privileges: "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen."

Preservation and Restoration

Despite periods of disobedience and exile, the Jewish people have been preserved throughout history, a testament to God's enduring covenant. The prophets speak of a future restoration and return to the land, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 36:24-28 , where God promises to gather them from the nations and bring them back to their own land.

A Light to the Nations

The Jews are also called to be a light to the nations, exemplifying God's righteousness and justice. Isaiah 49:6 expresses this mission: "I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." This calling underscores their role in God's plan to extend His grace and truth to all humanity.

Enduring Legacy

The legacy of the Jewish people is evident in their contributions to faith, culture, and history. Their Scriptures form the foundation of the Christian Old Testament, and their account continues to inspire and instruct believers in understanding God's faithfulness and sovereignty. The Jews remain a testament to God's unchanging promises and His plan for redemption through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are an holy people to the LORD your God: the LORD your God has chosen you to be a special people to himself, above all people that are on the face of the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Salvation to the Jews
... the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is ... to take particular interest
in the Jewish people whom they ... this will be to many of the Jews as the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... An account of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon is given briefly ... He declared that
the miseries which the people suffered were the special judgments of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Scattering of the People
... At this time it was that the Jews became really the 'People of the Book,' and
that a special society was formed to guard and copy the Bible. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

To the Disciples - Two Events and their Moral.
... would involve the widest consequences, alike to the people and the ... Again, it seems
strange that, although the Jews connected special sins with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii to the disciples.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... surround and command Jerusalem and the Jews on all ... these towns and districts had
its special deities and ... conformity to heathenism before his own people on the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... This, too, refers to another special injunction so peculiarly ... of Satan, who say that
they are Jews, and are ... Why should people "say they are Jews" in order to ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

How the Sedition was Again Revived Within Jerusalem and yet the ...
... that manner, they threw stones at their own people, as though ... to the soldiers, but
gave them a special charge to ... how he might be even with the Jews for their ...
/.../chapter 3 how the sedition.htm

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth. .
... were to take place, with a special reference to ... at Jerusalem, they were forewarned
that the Jews would reject ... that land, and wrath upon that people"that they ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iii the declensions of.htm

Paul's Narrow Escape from Death
... which the men had promised to make special offerings were almost over when some
Jews from Asia ... men, everywhere, to despise the Jewish people, the Jewish law ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/pauls narrow escape from death.htm

But Having Asserted that Our Religion is Supported by the Writings ...
... In former times the Jews enjoyed much of God's favour ... So it was that as a people
they flourished ... instruction God spake to them in special revelations, pointing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxi but having asserted.htm