Did God show favoritism by choosing Israel?
Did God show favoritism by choosing Israel?
The Question
The Bible says that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11), but this seems to contradict the fact that God specifically made a covenant with the people of Israel in the Old Testament. As a British journalist once wrote: How odd of God to choose the Jews. Is this an inconsistency?
The Answer
Most everyone who thinks God’s fairness is brought into question by the covenant made with Israel fails to understand two realities: 1) The purpose of the covenant
2) The definition of true Israel
The purpose of God’s covenant with Israel was never to heap blessings on them alone. God said to Abraham, I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:2-3). Israel was chosen for the purpose of reaching the whole world with the good news of God’s love.
By Jesus’ day, many of the Jewish authorities had forgotten this commission to be an access point between God and humanity. Rather, they viewed their selection as a mark of superiority or special privilege. Christians often make this same mistake in regard to their calling, but this mindset was never God’s intention.
Furthermore, it is important to understand God’s definition of what makes someone a true Israelite. Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, was not chosen on the basis of blood or culture. He was chosen on the basis of faith (Romans 4:3). What makes someone a true descendant of Abraham is not that they have the same DNA as Abraham, but that they have the same faith!
One day Jesus was speaking to physical descendants of Abraham who thought they were part of the covenant on the basis of shared blood and culture. Jesus recognized that they were Israelites in the natural sense (John 8:37), but then questioned whether or not they were Israelites in the spiritual sense (John 8:39). By the end of the conversation, Jesus declared that their true father was actually Satan (John 8:44)!
Paul, too, recognized that some Israelites were only Jewish in the flesh (Romans 2:28, 9:6), but that it was much more important to be a Jew by the Spirit (Romans 2:29). If we have faith, we are truly Abraham’s children (Romans 4:16). It doesn’t matter if we are Jews or Gentiles, if we have faith in Jesus Christ, we are heirs to the promises (Galatians 3:26-29).
When Peter came to know these truths, he was able to say: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right (Acts 10:34-35).
The Question
The Bible says that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11), but this seems to contradict the fact that God specifically made a covenant with the people of Israel in the Old Testament. As a British journalist once wrote: How odd of God to choose the Jews. Is this an inconsistency?
The Answer
Most everyone who thinks God’s fairness is brought into question by the covenant made with Israel fails to understand two realities: 1) The purpose of the covenant
2) The definition of true Israel
The purpose of God’s covenant with Israel was never to heap blessings on them alone. God said to Abraham, I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:2-3). Israel was chosen for the purpose of reaching the whole world with the good news of God’s love.
By Jesus’ day, many of the Jewish authorities had forgotten this commission to be an access point between God and humanity. Rather, they viewed their selection as a mark of superiority or special privilege. Christians often make this same mistake in regard to their calling, but this mindset was never God’s intention.
Furthermore, it is important to understand God’s definition of what makes someone a true Israelite. Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, was not chosen on the basis of blood or culture. He was chosen on the basis of faith (Romans 4:3). What makes someone a true descendant of Abraham is not that they have the same DNA as Abraham, but that they have the same faith!
One day Jesus was speaking to physical descendants of Abraham who thought they were part of the covenant on the basis of shared blood and culture. Jesus recognized that they were Israelites in the natural sense (John 8:37), but then questioned whether or not they were Israelites in the spiritual sense (John 8:39). By the end of the conversation, Jesus declared that their true father was actually Satan (John 8:44)!
Paul, too, recognized that some Israelites were only Jewish in the flesh (Romans 2:28, 9:6), but that it was much more important to be a Jew by the Spirit (Romans 2:29). If we have faith, we are truly Abraham’s children (Romans 4:16). It doesn’t matter if we are Jews or Gentiles, if we have faith in Jesus Christ, we are heirs to the promises (Galatians 3:26-29).
When Peter came to know these truths, he was able to say: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right (Acts 10:34-35).
posted by matthew at 1:57 PM
4 Comments:
It is true that God opens up salvation to all.But God DOES show favoritism. But he has that right. After all He created everything.
How does God show favoritism?
Do all the people in the world get to have the same encounter that Paul did on the road to Damascus?
How about Moses and the burning bush? How about Elijah, do we all get to go have a ride on a flaming chariot? How about Pentecost,Do all Christians get to see flames from the Holy Spirit and be filled. Do we all get to walk on water. Do we all get to have so much of the Holy Spirit that even our shadow when it falls on someone heals them? You get my point.
Thanks for the comment Steven. I have thought about this question a lot. The Bible clearly says that God does not show favoritism. What it does say (and what you have noticed) is that God expresses favor. So I think we need to make a distinction between showing favor and favoritISM. And I would make the distinction like this: Favoritism is preferring someone based on some demographic reality. Favor is favoring a chosen behavior.
Some of your examples have to do with election, not favor or favoritism. Those peoples' lives didn't get easier. They got harder.
In any case, there is a difference b/w favor and favoritism.
This Article is well written.All the doubts and questions in my mind are cleared.As I live in the East (India),I used to wonder (India my homeland) a nation which has an ancient history and rich cultural past,how was it neglected by God and what made the Jews more superior to find favor from God.This article clarifies my doubt.Thankyou
Glad it could be a help!
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