3. What does it mean when the Bible says that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people? 

First of all, it needs to be shown that the Bible does in fact teach that God did choose the Jewish nation. 

Deut. 7:7-8 – “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

These verses clearly teach that God has chosen the nation of Israel.  However, the question remains, why did He do so?  That question will be answered that, but first there is something very important that needs to be understood concerning Israel’s being chosen.  God’s choosing of Israel is a national choosing and does not guarantee salvation.  God chose them as a nation to carry out some very important things that pertain to His plan.  So, even though the Jewish people are God’s chosen people they still are in need of personally receiving Jesus as Messiah and Savior.  Now, back to the original question, why did God choose the Jewish nation?  There are several points that could be given to answer this question, but three seem to rise to the surface.

A.  THE WORD OF GOD

God used the nation of Israel to give to the world His inerrant, divine, authoritative Word.

Rom. 3:1-2 – “Then what advantage has the Jews?  Or what is the benefit of circumcision?  Great in every respect.  First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.”

Psalm 147:19-20 – “He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.  He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances they have not known them.  Praise the LORD!”

This is a tremendous advantage.  It’s through His Word that God reveals Himself and what He expects of people.  Through the meticulous and careful work of the Scribes and early Jewish followers of the Messiah we have a reliable and trustworthy Bible.  God has blessed the world by committing His oracles to Israel.

B.  JESUS THE MESSIAH

God used the nation of Israel to give to the world the one and only redeemer of mankind.

Rom. 9:3-5 – “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, … and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever.  Amen.”

The Word of God teaches that according to the flesh, the Messiah Jesus came through the Jewish nation.  God chose the nation of Israel to be the nation through which the Messiah would come. 

C.  MISSIONARIES TO THE WORLD  

God intended for Israel to be a light to the Gentile nations by bringing to them the message of salvation through the Messiah Jesus.  So far, only the first two have been fulfilled.  The Bible is complete and the Savior has come.  But so far, Israel has not taken the message to the Gentile nations.  In the future Israel will be obedient to this call and take the message of salvation around the world.  The Word of God clearly teaches this, See Rev. 7:4-10, Isa. 2:2-3,  Isa. 60:3,  Isa. 11:10.  The greatest days lie ahead for Israel when they will fulfill their missionary calling to the Gentile nations.