The Jews, also known as the Israelites or Hebrews, are a people chosen by God for a unique purpose in the unfolding of His divine plan. This choice is rooted in the covenantal relationship established between God and the patriarchs, beginning with Abraham. The Jews are central to the narrative of the Bible, serving as the recipients of God's promises, laws, and revelations.

Covenantal Beginnings

The foundation of the Jewish people as God's chosen is found in the Abrahamic Covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God calls Abram (later Abraham) and promises, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." This covenant is further affirmed in Genesis 17:7 , where God declares, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

The Mosaic Covenant and the Law

The Jews' identity as God's chosen people is further solidified through the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God states, "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." The giving of the Law, including the Ten Commandments, establishes a framework for the Israelites to live as a distinct and holy people.

The Davidic Covenant

The Davidic Covenant further underscores the Jews as the objects of God's choice, promising a perpetual dynasty through David's lineage. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16 , God assures David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever." This covenant not only affirms the Jews' special status but also points to the coming of the Messiah, who Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Prophetic Promises and Restoration

Throughout the prophetic writings, the Jews are reminded of their chosen status and the responsibilities it entails. Despite periods of disobedience and exile, God promises restoration and a future hope. In Jeremiah 31:31-33 , God speaks of a new covenant: "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."

The Role of the Jews in Salvation History

The Jews' role as God's chosen people is integral to the unfolding of salvation history. Through them, the Scriptures were given, and the Messiah was born. 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!"

The Continuing Significance

The Jews remain a testament to God's faithfulness and the irrevocable nature of His promises. Romans 11:29 affirms, "For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable." The ongoing existence and identity of the Jewish people serve as a reminder of God's enduring covenant and His ultimate plan for redemption through Jesus Christ, who Christians believe fulfills the promises made to the patriarchs and the nation of Israel.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

God's Sovereignty Defined
... The objects of mercy, then, are those who are miserable ... During one of the Feasts
of the Jews, the Lord ... It has been pointed out to us that God's Sovereignty was ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

Matt. xviii. 7
... how dost thou despise them that are the objects of God's ... is an object of such earnest
care to God, that "He ... But now the contrary is done; with Jews and with ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lix matt xviii 7.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... that it was one of the central objects ot our ... the crossways to invite all men, alike
Jews and Gentiles ... wide apart, are these two - God's call and God's choice. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

Dialogue of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho
... Chapter LX.--Opinions of the Jews with regard to Him who appeared in the bush. ... Chapter
LXV.--The Jew objects that God does not give His glory to another ...
/.../justin/dialogue of justin philosopher and martyr with trypho/

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... It is a Roman word, for adoption was hardly, if at all, known among the Jews. ... Some
of them are as follows: Objects of God's peculiar love (John 17:23), and ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

The So-Called Letter to Diognetus
... to senseless and deaf objects, the Jews themselves might ... that they are offering
something to objects which in ... is it not impious to pretend that God forbids a ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the so-called letter to diognetus.htm

The Doctrine of God
... demand. The history of the Jews, prophecy, is not explainable minus God.
If ... that love. (2) The objects of God's Love. aa) Jesus ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy
... Faustus objects to the incarnation of God on the ground that the ... Augustin explains
the relation of Jews and Gentiles alike to the Gospel. ...
/.../augustine/writings in connection with the manichaean controversy /

'The Prince of Life'
... their blindness to the light of God, their fierce ... this strange paradox is not confined
to these Jews. ... thousand other visible and temporal objects that outshine ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the prince of life.htm

What Sort of Prayer the Gnostic Employs, and How it is Heard by ...
... and the subjects of requests are the objects of desires ... passes over the whole world,
as the Jews certainly did ... Wherefore God does not do good by necessity, but ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii what sort of prayer.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Ashkenazi Jews? Are the Ashkenazim truly Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Jews for Jesus, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

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