by Tim Groves

Here we find an important truth of the Bible: God has specifically picked a group of people for an important role.

God chose Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) and his descendants as the first family of people He would work with. God did not choose Israel because they were a mighty people, but rather because of their father Abraham’s faithfulness and their small size (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).

Israel is a special treasure to God. He has showered Jacob’s descendants with unparalleled blessings because of Abraham’s faith. God intended Israel to be the right example to the rest of the world so the other nations would want to follow God (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).

Unfortunately, ancient Israel failed to be the example God intended, so He allowed His special people to go into captivity to learn some important lessons.

But God is still dealing with a small group of people today. He has not abandoned physical Israel; but beginning with the New Testament Church, God’s special people primarily became spiritual Israel (Romans 2:29). These are the individuals the Father has called and chosen from all over the world—of different ethnicities and racial backgrounds.

Spiritual Israelites are to be an example to those around them of God’s true way of life (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:12).

To learn more about Israel’s heritage, read “Why Did God Choose Israel?”

Tomorrow on the Daily Bible Verse Blog: “Wanting Something for Nothing.”