What comes into your mind when you hear the phrase: “God’s chosen people”? Do you think of the Jews, or the nation of Israel or some exclusivist group with a better-than-thou attitude? When you hear someone say “I am one of God’s elect” or “We are God’s people,” how do you react? Do you feel a sense of awe and excitement—or perhaps suspicion and a bit of sarcasm? Do you feel sorry for such poor, misguided people? Through the ages, many individuals, groups and even nations have felt “chosen by God” to lead or dominate others. They have often felt compelled to force their religious ideas on their neighbors, and even to conquer the world. The history of civilization is a sobering and bloody saga of human beings attempting to function as “agents of the Lord.” It is not surprising that the idea of a “chosen people” sets off alarm bells in the minds of many today.
But is the concept of a chosen people just a crazy idea—a myth that all too frequently becomes a nightmare? Is it merely a notion of human vanity, or is there real substance to the idea? Is it relevant to Christians today—even vital to your salvation? Just what does this idea have to do with your life, and how does it relate to your future? We need to understand what the Bible reveals about this vital subject, because many false and misleading ideas have been promulgated over the years. Scripture provides an exciting perspective, which can have an incredible impact on your life when you see how God’s plan fits together.
Origin of the Idea
The concept of a chosen people occurs repeatedly from Genesis to Revelation. It is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. God Himself is the author of the concept. The idea of a chosen people is an important part of God’s plan for mankind. The Bible reveals that while God is the Creator of all mankind (Genesis 1:26–27), He chose for an important reason to work with one man (Abraham) and his family. God made an agreement—a covenant—with Abraham, with conditions and promises. In return for Abraham’s obedience, God offered a series of amazing promises—not only blessings and future national greatness for his offspring, but that through Abraham’s seed the whole world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3). The Lord established an everlasting covenant with Abraham “to be God to you and your descendants” (Genesis 17:7). The rest of Genesis is the story of this promise expanding to Abraham’s family, with the greatest portion of physical blessings eventually coming to the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48; 49).
The Bible clearly indicates that God used this same method of choosing, and offering conditions and promises, as He continued to work with ancient Israel. Moses records: “For you are a holy [set apart] people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). The Israelites were promised blessings if they obeyed God and followed His commandments (7:12–15). They were told: “You are the children of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself” (14:1–2). Because God chose them for a special purpose, the Israelites were forbidden to disfigure their bodies with scars or tattoos, or to adopt other practices common to surrounding pagan nations (see Deuteronomy 12:29–32; Leviticus 19:28; 21:5). They were also told that God had spoken directly to no other nation, nor chosen any other to be His own people (Deuteronomy 4:32–40). But just why did God call Israel to be His chosen people?
Chosen for a Reason
Many people today, who do not understand the subject, wrongly ridicule the very idea of a chosen people. Regrettably, many who believe in the idea also lack a proper perspective. Critics have called the concept “exclusivist” because it has led many to assume they were better than other people. In fact, the ancient nation of Israel was not chosen because it was the most intelligent or most powerful nation on earth. God chose Israel when its people were humbled as slaves in Egypt, and were “the least of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7). God chose them because He had made a covenant with their forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (7:8). The Israelites were also told: “It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their [other nation’s] land, but because of the wickedness of these nations” (Deuteronomy 9:5). To understand why God gave the land of Canaan to His chosen people, read about the Canaanite religion, which included ritual fornication and human sacrifice. To be chosen by God as His special people is not a basis for vanity or feelings of superiority, but it does involve an incredible responsibility.
Abraham was chosen and blessed because he believed God—he took God’s promises and conditions at face value and acted on them (Genesis 15:6). God was a teacher to Abraham and, as he learned important lessons, he then taught his family God’s ways (Genesis 18:17–19). When God chose to work with the nation of Israel, He said: “if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people… you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5–6). Priests are people who teach others about God and His laws. God chose the Israelites—and gave them His laws—so that as they learned to live by those laws, they would see the results His way brings and they would become a model nation for others to follow (Deuteronomy 4:1–10). God intended His chosen people to be lights to the world, demonstrating a better way of life. He wanted the world to see Israel’s example, and the blessings that come from living according to His laws. This was—and still is—God’s plan. This is why God revealed Himself—and His laws—to Moses, explaining the Holy Days, tithing, marriage, foods, sanitation, commerce, government, agriculture and even environmental management (see Deuteronomy 4:40; 5:29–33; 6:1–3). The notion that these laws were given to the Israelites to punish them, or that they are irrelevant today as part of an outdated old covenant, is a lie and part of Satan’s great deception.
God did not hide the fact that He chose the nation of Israel for a special purpose. David understood that Israel was chosen to be God’s servant, to “make known His deeds among the peoples… [and] proclaim the good news of His salvation… [and] declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples” (1 Chronicles 16:7–24). The prophet Isaiah wrote: “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend… you are my servant, I have chosen you… you are My witness” (see Isaiah 41:8–9; 43:10; 44:8). Because they were to play an important role in God’s plan, the Israelites were warned: “Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you” (Deuteronomy 4:23). God repeatedly told the Israelites that they would be blessed for obedience and reap curses for disobedience to His laws (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). They were not to alter, improvise or compromise God’s instructions, but to faithfully follow and teach the commandments of God to their children (Deuteronomy 4:1–10; 6:1–9).
The Bible shows that the terms of this agreement applied not only to Moses’ day, but to future generations of Israelites (Deuteronomy 29:14–15). Just as Abraham, Sarah and their offspring were chosen by God and had to make a choice to follow God or their own reasoning, each generation in Israel had to make this same decision. God plainly recorded in Scripture: “For this commandment which I command you today, it is not too mysterious for you… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice…” (Deuteronomy 30:11–20). To be chosen by God as His servant, and as a witness—an example—to the world, is an incredible opportunity and a sobering responsibility. It also requires a choice on our part: whether to obey God’s instructions, or to follow our own reasoning and desires.
More People Chosen
Contrary to what many believe today, Abraham and the nation of Israel were not the only people with whom God chose to work in the past. God chose Saul to be the first physical king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:16–17). While people saw Saul as a tall, handsome man, God chose him because he was humble, from the smallest tribe of Israel (Benjamin) and from an insignificant family (9:1, 21). God promised Saul an enduring throne if he obeyed Him (12:14). However, Saul lost his throne when he forgot his initial humility and began to act presumptuously, disobeying God (1 Samuel 13–15). God then chose David to reign after Saul (16:1–16). David was not perfect, but was a man after God’s own heart—he believed God, loved His commandments and shared God’s vision—so God made a special covenant with him, that his throne would be established forever (see 2 Samuel 7:12–17; 1 Kings 11:34; Acts 13:21–23). God then chose Solomon to rule after David (1 Kings 1:13, 30) and gave conditional promises based on obedience to His laws (1 Kings 2:1–4). However, after a good start (1 Kings 3) Solomon drifted off course, letting his attraction for women and worldly pleasures replace his love for God (1 Kings 11). As a result, his son Rehoboam lost most of his kingdom. Jeroboam was chosen by God to be king and offered an enduring throne for obedience, but he, too, failed to trust God and used his own reasoning to change the laws of God (1 Kings 12:25–33).
In each of these cases, God chose individuals with whom He was willing to work. Each man was chosen to lead the children of Israel—God’s special people. Each man was offered specific and personal promises, conditioned upon obedience to God. In most situations, the person God chose failed to appreciate the unique nature of the responsibility that was offered.
These case studies in leadership are not outdated little Bible stories, no longer relevant to Christians’ lives. Paul wrote: “All these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). We need to learn from these examples.
Chosen People Today
The New Testament reveals that God, today, is still working out the same plan with the same methods. Jesus chose 12 disciples to become Apostles (Luke 6:12–13), and gave them specific instructions, or conditions: to follow His example (Matthew 4:18–20), to obey the commandments of God (John 14:15) and to preach the Gospel of the coming kingdom of God to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and to the world (Matthew 10:6–7; 28:19–20). They were also offered a reward for following Christ’s instructions—the opportunity to reign over the 12 tribes of Israel in the coming kingdom (Matthew 19:28). God chose Peter to first preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 15:7). Paul was called “a chosen vessel” to preach the gospel “before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel” and to be a “witness to all men” (Acts 9:15; 22:15)—essentially the same mission God gave to ancient Israel (see 1 Chronicles 16:8–24). God chose the Apostles to fill specific roles in His plan, which they understood and faithfully fulfilled. They also understood the nature of their reward (see 2 Timothy 4:6–8; Revelation 5:10). But the Apostles were not the only people chosen by Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote to New Testament Christians that “just as He [God] chose us in Him [to be Christians] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4–5). In other words, God has a predetermined plan to call individuals to become His children—and the New Testament Church is comprised of those being offered that opportunity now. Individuals chosen to qualify during this part of God’s plan are called “firstfruits” (Romans 8:23; James 1:18; Revelation 14:1–5). Their reward will be the first resurrection and the chance to reign with Christ in the kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10; 20:4–6). Paul wrote further: “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth… therefore… stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:13–15). Paul was referring to a future time when individuals chosen to be firstfruits will be deceived and begin to fall away because they have lost their love for the truth of God (2:1–12). They will lose their reward (Colossians 2:18)—just as Solomon’s son lost most of his kingdom—unless they repent. Many today are facing this exact situation.
The New Testament explains that God is not calling the wise and mighty of this world, but just as He chose to work with the Israelites when they were slaves in the land of Egypt, “God has chosen [under the New Covenant] the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise… that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). Just as God chose Saul when he was humble and David when he was a simple God-fearing shepherd, God has likewise “chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love him” (James 2:5).
In fact, Christians have an even more intimate relationship with God than did the Israelites. Christians are God’s children—they have received the gift of the Holy Spirit after repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9–17). God is looking for individuals after His own heart, who want to serve Him, who value His laws, who are willing to follow His instructions, who share His vision and who are willing to be examples to the world (see Deuteronomy 10:12–13; Isaiah 66:2; Matthew 22:37). God has a special purpose planned for those who develop these qualities—they are to be priests and kings (teachers and leaders) in the coming kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10). God’s method is the same today as it always has been. This is why Peter echoed Moses when he told New Testament Christians: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people, but are now the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9–10; see also Exodus 19:5–6). This is why Christians are called “the elect” (Matthew 24:31; 1 Peter 1:2).
The Bible reveals that those God has chosen to be His people throughout history are to be lights to the world. Those who prove faithful in this responsibility will receive the opportunity to rule with Jesus Christ in the coming kingdom of God, where they will teach God’s laws and His way of life to all mankind.
To be “chosen by God” is not a crazy idea. It is nothing to be ashamed of; it is a fundamental teaching of Scripture, an incredible privilege and an awesome opportunity. We need to remember that Jesus told His disciples: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). When you realize that God has chosen you to understand His truth, to participate in preaching the gospel and to prepare for the kingdom, you have an important choice to make. You must decide whether you will obey God—keep His commandments, follow His instructions and share His vision—or whether you will instead follow your own human reasoning and “do your own thing.” You will need to have the proper priorities (Luke 10:38–42), so that you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” in all that you do (Matthew 6:33). Your response will determine whether you will be among those chosen to be in the first resurrection, to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God (see Revelation 17:14; 20:4–6).
The concept of a chosen people is not a crazy idea or an outdated notion. It is a fundamental part of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. You can play an important role in that plan, when you understand what it means to be one of God’s chosen people!