Subject: Are the Jews still the chosen people? |
Bible Note: Descendants of Judah are Judahites or Jews. Descendandts of Jacob/Israel are Israelites. Descendants of Eber are Hebrews (Abraham's descendants were called Hebrews). Today we tend to call all of the above "Jews" even though they weren't. A Gentile is anyone who is not a practicing Jew in the religious sense [which also included some Israelites, some descendants of Abraham, and those descended from Ham and Japheth (sons of Noah)]. God's promises were given to Abraham and those who are his spiritual descendants or "the children of promise". The "children of promise" are those of faith down through the generations, regardless of blood lineage. Paul says that Israel (meaning all 12 tribes of Israel, including those of Judah) rejected the Messiah. Paul also states that "all Israel will be saved". But that Israel Paul speaks of are only those of faith. And they are God's "chosen people". Romans 9:6 "... For they are not all Israel who are of Israel." Romans 9:7 "nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham..." Romans 11:1-5 "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.... But what does the divine say 'I have reverved a remnant for Myself' ... at the present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace." (Isaiah 59:20 "'The Redeemer will come to Zion, and (come) to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,' says the Lord.") Romans 11:26 "And so all Israel will be saved..." God's chosen people, Israel, are those of faith. |