Chosen

Q: Why did God have a “chosen” people considering he created people to begin with?

A: It is a little difficult to understand the concept of “chosen.” However, it is important to understand that God chose Israel as part of a strategic plan to bless all nations on earth. It is in the covenant God made with Abram, in Genesis 12:1-3, that we can better understand all of the Bible and God’s purpose. God didn’t choose Israel in order to keep the promise with them, but as a way to reach out to all people.

“The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

The answer to your question is found here in verse 3, “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” God chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation and it was through that nation that God was going to bless the entire world. It was God’s plan that through Israel everyone would be introduced to him. I think too often people forget the last part of the promise God made with Israel, the part that illuminates for us his grand purpose – that all people on earth will be blessed through God’s chosen. It was through the nation of Israel that Christ came into the world as the means of salvation for all people. Christ is the way for all of us to be grafted into the promise.