Why did God choose the people of Israel to be a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" Exodus 19:5)? Was irt because of somerthing inherently good in them? Was it because they were better than other peoples? The Lord answered this question directly, saying, "The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath, He swore to your ancestors that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:7--9), the Christian Post website reports today (May 17, 2024).
Paul addressed this as well, writing, "For He says to Moses,. ' I will have mercy on whom I have mercy , and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' It does not , therefore, depend on human desire or effort , but on God's mercy" (Romans 9:15--16).
In short, Israel was chosen because of the sovereignty of God, not because of Israel's own merit.
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