The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) explicitly provides reasons for God’s selection of Israel as his chosen nation. Primarily, Israel’s selection is rooted in God’s love, promise, and covenant rather than Israel’s inherent greatness or merit.
A central passage explaining why God chose Israel appears in Deuteronomy 7:6–8: “For you are a people consecrated to the LORD your God; of all the peoples on earth the LORD your God chose you to be His treasured people. It is not because you are the most numerous of peoples that the LORD set His heart on you and chose you—indeed, you are the smallest of peoples; but it was because the LORD favored you and kept the oath He made to your ancestors that the LORD freed you with a mighty hand and rescued you from the house of bondage, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
From this passage, two key reasons emerge clearly: (1) Divine Love and Grace: God chose Israel out of His sovereign love and favor, not because of their size, power, or inherent worthiness. (2) Faithfulness to Covenant: God chose Israel to fulfill His promises to their forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), underscoring His own faithfulness and commitment to His word (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:18; 17:7–8).
Additionally, Israel was chosen to serve a special purpose: To be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5–6), which means they were to model holiness and ethical living, acting as intermediaries between God and humanity. And, to be a light to other nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6), making God’s name known and bringing blessing to the world. Thus, the Tanakh emphasizes God’s choice as a combination of divine love, faithfulness to ancestral promises, and Israel’s unique responsibility among nations.
The mission of Israel’s chosen-ness, as articulated in the Tanakh, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus in several profound ways:
- Israel was chosen to be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, and a light to the Gentiles. Jesus perfectly embodied this calling by:
—Demonstrating perfect holiness and obedience to God’s law (Matthew 5:17–18).
—Acting as the ultimate priestly mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14–16).
—Being the true “light to the Gentiles,” extending God’s covenant promises universally (Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32; John 8:12). - Fulfilling the Covenant Promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and reiterated through Moses and the prophets, included universal blessing and restoration. These promises culminated in Jesus, who is presented as: The ultimate descendant (“seed”) of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). The promised Messiah who fulfills prophetic hopes of restoration and redemption (Luke 24:44–47; Acts 3:24–26).
- Jesus perfectly lived out covenant faithfulness (Matthew 4:1–11; Romans 5:18–19). His life, death, and resurrection represent the culmination and perfect realization of the story of Israel: He mirrored Israel’s journey (40 days in the wilderness paralleling Israel’s 40 years—Matthew 4). He obeyed the Torah completely, fulfilling Israel’s vocation (Matthew 5:17).
- Jesus expanded the definition of chosen-ness beyond ethnic boundaries, creating a renewed covenant community including Jews and Gentiles alike: He broke down barriers between Jews and Gentiles, inviting all into God’s family (Ephesians 2:11–22). Believers in Jesus become part of the covenant blessings originally promised to Israel (Romans 11:17–24; Galatians 3:28–29).
- Jesus inaugurated this kingdom through His teachings, healings, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection: Declared God’s Kingdom had arrived (Mark 1:14–15). Fulfilled prophetic visions of an eternal kingdom, establishing spiritual Israel (the Church) as His enduring people (Daniel 7:13–14; Luke 1:32–33; Revelation 21–22).
In summary: Jesus fulfills ancient Israel’s chosen-ness by perfectly embodying their divine calling, faithfully realizing the covenant promises, and expanding Israel’s mission universally. Through Him, the role of the Israel of God as a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, and a blessing to all humanity reaches its intended, fullest realization in Jesus and his church.
Also see our article on Replacement Theology.