Israel the chosen

“For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be His own, Israel to be His treasured possession.” Psalm 135:4
The nation Israel is one of the most prominent themes throughout the Bible. Beginning in Genesis, we read of how God chose Abraham from the town of Ur in Chaldea, and later called his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, to whom were born twelve sons from whom would come the twelve tribes of Israel. We read how God prepared a homeland for them in the land of Canaan, how He delivered them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to the land promised to Abraham. He gave them His law, established the place where He was to be worshipped, and instituted the tribe of Levi to minister to Him. He raised up prophets to admonish the people and promised a kingdom to David culminating in the Messiah, who would save the whole world.
We see Israel now in a state of blindness towards God (Rom. 11:25). Most Israelis today are not religious; and many of the few that are are clinging to the Old Testament laws as their means of salvation, not realising that Messiah has indeed come. Yet despite all this, God has not cast off Israel.
He has not forgotten her (Isa. 49:14-16). Israel is still God’s chosen and treasured possession, and He has a future plan for her that will come to pass..