What does it mean to be “The chosen people of God,”? By examining various Old Testament references, we can gain a clearer understanding of what it means to be God’s chosen people.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ………but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9,10
First of all, it’s important to note that each description of the people of God in this text is a quote from the Old Testament:
- “A chosen race” is from Isaiah 43:20.
- “A royal priesthood” is from Exodus 19:6.
- “A holy nation” is also from Exodus 19:6.
- “A people for God’s own possession” is from Exodus 19:5.
The two quotes in verse 10, “not a people, but now you are the people of God” and “now you have received mercy,” are both from Hosea 1:10.
Everything in the New Testament is grounded in the Old Testament, which provides essential context for understanding it. A thorough understanding of the New Testament often depends on knowledge of the Old Testament background.
- THE PRIVILEGE OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Now, let us specifically consider the great privileges to which God has called us as His people. This is a significant privilege, and these verses use several words or phrases to describe the privileged position we hold as the people of God.
- “A Chosen Race”
Who are “God’s chosen people”? In Genesis 12, God called Abraham and promised that He would make him a great nation and that through him, the whole world would be blessed. Matthew begins by stating that Jesus Christ is “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”
Now, Peter addresses us as New Testament Christians, saying, “You are a chosen race.” We are the ones God has chosen to make disciples. Galatians 3:29 affirms this, stating: “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants.”
- “A Royal Priesthood”
This is a reference to Exodus 19:6, where God told Israel, just before giving them the Ten Commandments, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests.” John echoes this in Revelation 1:6, stating that God has made us “a kingdom of priests.”
This means that all of God’s people are now priests. In the Old Testament, only priests had the privilege of access to God. However, through Jesus, God declares that we are all “a kingdom of priests.” Everyone in His Kingdom is a priest. As Ephesians 3:12 says, “We have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”
- “A Holy Nation”
This is also a reference to Exodus 19:6. As God’s people, Israel was called to be “holy,” meaning “set apart.” Israel was not to live as the nations around them did but to be ‘holy’, ‘distinct’ and ‘set apart’ for God. Similarly, we are called to live for God alone and fulfill His purpose in our lives.
The key verse in the book of Leviticus is 11:44, where God commands Israel, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” This command is reiterated throughout the book.
- “God’s Own Possession”
The term used here means “one’s own, special possession.” The Bible word is “peri-poieo,” where “peri” means “around.” This imagery to me suggests God wrapping His arms around us and declaring, “These are My special people who belong to Me!”
God tells us that we are His own possession and that we belong to Him. He has cleansed us from our past sins, affirming that we are His own. As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” Mercy is what we need from God, and thankfully, it is what He provides through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 describes us as “dead in our trespasses and sins,” but then it also says, “But God, being rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ.”
- The Purpose of God’s People
So, what is that purpose? 1 Pet 2:9 says: “so that (pointing to the purpose) you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” God has called us to “proclaim His excellencies.” Unfortunately, many of us, who are meant to be God’s people, are missing this purpose for our lives. Many of us have become so focussed on seeking our own comfort and pleasure. As children of God, we must not forget the purpose for which He has called us. May we never forget what He’s called us for, as “The Chosen of God.”