God's Chosen People

This week is known as Holy Week for Christians as they respectfully remember the death and resurrection of their Savior Jesus Christ. This week also is important for the Jewish people, God's Chosen People. For ten days they celebrate the Feast of Passover remembering how God delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Notice their dedication to this Feast as it is a ten day celebration.

Why are the Jews called "God's Chosen People?" In the third month after leaving Egypt, they came to Mount Sinai. As God called Moses up on the mountain, He said, "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Then all the people answered together and said, 'All that The Lord has spoken we will do.'" Exodus 19:5,6,8.

Well, how have God's chosen people lived up to this very special calling of God? First of all, we know there is an obedient dedication to studying and memorizing the Word of God. Observant Jewish parents begin teaching their children to read Hebrew at the age of three. At age six, children begin daily study in Synagogue schools. By the time of their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah they are expected to understand and have memorized the entire Torah. As a result, they have better knowledge of Scripture than many seminary graduates.

Additionally, as a priestly nation, God's Chosen People are trained to communicate the Truth of God and to serve as a light to the nations. God has shaped their lives and given them wisdom for success. Romans 9:4-5 illustrates all that God gave to the Jews initially, "Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came?" Praise The Lord, now, through the shed blood of Jesus, we as Christians have also received all these blessings of our Lord God.

This Holy Week, let us thank our Lord God for His plan of salvation but also offer thanks for God's Chosen People and their dedication to the Word of God. Also pray especially this week that many of them will recognize Jesus as their Messiah. 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank