The Apostle Peter said: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is accepted of him.” (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11) This is a principle.
God’s blessings began with the Jew because Abraham feared and obeyed God. Genesis 22:16-18 (NIV), “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” The nation of Israel are Abraham’s descendants. They inherited this promise.
God made the Law Covenant with Israel and specially overruled their experiences to grow their faith and obedience. The nation was blessed when obedient and punished when disobedient as God had promised.
Leviticus 26:3-17 (CSB), “If you…faithfully observe my commands, I will give you rain…and produce…I will give peace to the land…make you fruitful and multiply you, and confirm my covenant with you…But if you do not obey me and observe all these commands– …I will bring terror…wasting disease and fever… You will sow your seed in vain because your enemies will eat it. I will turn against you…”
God recognized only Israel as His typical people. His focus was to constantly nurture faith in Him. Amos 3:2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” He left others unrecognized, treating them as strangers and aliens.
All through God’s relationship with Abraham and the nation of Israel, only some developed the right heart condition. These were humbled and corrected by the disciplines. Thus, when Jesus was born from Abraham’s line, the punishments and blessings had developed a great number of obedient, tender-hearted Jews.
Jesus confined His ministry to Israel and nurtured more faith. He said, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 10:5,6 (NIV).
The gospel was preached at Pentecost and three thousand (Acts 2:41) were baptized. In Acts 4:4, the number who believed came to five thousand. More Jews responded later, but their numbers were not recorded in the New Testament.
Summary: Why are the Jews God’s chosen people? Because God specially blessed Abraham for His faithful obedience and grew the nation of Israel as Abraham’s seed. God promised, “in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 28:14) And “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29.
To learn how God will specially use Israel to bless mankind in the future, please download the free PDF: "Will Israel Survive the End Times?"
