Deuteronomy 7:7-9 tells us, in reference to the nation of Israel, that "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples; on the contrary, you were the fewest of all peoples." This passage is referring to the fact that Israel was the smallest of all the nations. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your ancestors, He redeemed you from the land of slavery and freed you from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. He did this by bringing you out of Egypt with a mighty hand and bringing you into the land of Canaan. Therefore, you should know that the LORD, your God, is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.
Israel was selected by God to be the nation through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would save people from their sins and death, would be born (John 3:16). After Adam and Eve disobeyed God and fell into sin, God made the initial promise of the Messiah (Genesis chapter 3). After some time, God provided confirmation that the Messiah would descend from the family line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3). The birth of Jesus Christ is the decisive factor in God's decision to select Israel as His chosen people. It was not necessary for God to have a chosen people, but He chose to operate in this manner anyway. God determined that Jesus had to originate from a specific people group, and that group was Israel.
Nevertheless, the selection of the people of Israel by God was not made solely with the goal of fulfilling the prophecy that they would give birth to the Messiah. The goal that God had in mind for Israel was for them to share their faith in Him with people from other nations. Israel was destined to become a nation that would be known throughout the world for its priests, prophets, and missionaries. The purpose that God had in mind for Israel was for them to be a unique people and a nation that pointed others toward God and the provision of a Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior that God had promised them. Israel was not successful in accomplishing this mission as a whole. However, God's ultimate purpose for Israel, which was to bring the Messiah into the world, was perfectly fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. This was God's ultimate purpose for Israel.
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