God’s Chosen People
Let me say this plain and up front:
I am so dang tired of hearing folks argue about who God’s chosen people are.
You got people yelling on one side that we’re supposed to support Israel no matter what, no questions asked.
You got folks on the other side claiming Israel don’t matter at all anymore.
Then you got folks who just repeat what they heard a preacher say, or what their grandma told ‘em, or what the news said, and they’ve never even opened their Bible.
Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take your pastor’s word for it. Don’t take some YouTuber’s, some rabbi’s, or even Peter’s.
Yes, that good ole Sant Peter the Catholics try to worship. Even he got it wrong.
These preachers that are arguing and trying to talk about stuff, they don’t even know what the “church” is, and you expect them to know who’s God chosen people are?
I got an idea, its crazy, way out there, I mean just wow, you might think I’m crazy, but here it goes……
Go read the whole Bible for yourself! From Genesis to Revelation!
If your Bible’s been sitting on the shelf so long that your spiders are more familiar with it then you, well then wipe it off and open it up.
Start in Genesis, and don’t you dare stop ‘til you hit Revelation.
Not just skimming through it because someone said you needed to, but actually want to learn more from the heart, you want to read it to meet Jesus, because He’s the whole dang thing.
Because if you’re just picking out verses to fit what you already think, you’ll stay confused your whole life, and you don’t want that and Jesus don’t want that because He wants you to know the truth because the truth will set you free…..
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh.” (John 1:1–14)
Jesus is on every page. He’s the Seed in Genesis. He’s the Lamb in Exodus. He’s the Rock in the wilderness. He’s the fourth man in the fire, the Son born of a virgin, the Suffering Servant, and the King of Kings in Revelation. The whole thing is about Him. That’s why it’s called history folks, because it’s His-story.
“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)
God Chose Israel — Don’t forget
Now let’s be clear God didn’t just bless Abraham and leave it vague. He built a nation.
He called Israel by name, pulled them out of Egypt, gave them His laws, sent them His prophets, and called them the apple of His eye.
“Whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)
“Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” (Numbers 24:9)
“The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you.” (Deuteronomy 30:7)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6)
And don’t forget, Jesus was an Israelite. Born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, died outside Jerusalem. He came through the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, just like God promised. So yes, Israel still matters. But not because of politics or money. Not because they’re perfect. They matter because God chose them, and God never breaks a promise.
But They Rejected the Cornerstone
When Jesus showed up, He came to His own people, the ones he called out of Egypt, the ones he rescued from all kinds of disasters, the same ones who Moses told them that One is coming to rescue you and you bette listen to Him!
But His own people rejected Him, just like the prophets said would happen, wow, who would’ve thunk?
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen" (Deuteronomy 18:15)
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42, 1 Peter 2:7)
He told a parable about a vineyard, The owner (God) sent servants (the prophets). They beat ‘em. Then he sent his son (Jesus), and they killed him!
“The kingdom will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43)
That’s not replacement theology, that’s prophecy being fulfilled.
Jesus didn’t toss away Israel, He fulfilled prophecy through them and even came to them Himself!
If they would not have rejected Him then prophecy wouldn’t be fulfilled and we wouldn’t be where we are at today, because they rejected and killed Jesus, God opened the door wide to every tribe, tongue, and nation to be saved, what a promise what a blessing, how awesome is are God!!!!
The Cornerstone
Back in Babylon, Daniel saw something wild. A vision that still shakes the kingdoms of man today. A great statue—terrifying, powerful, majestic.
The head was gold. The chest and arms, silver. The belly and thighs, bronze. The legs, iron. And the feet, a mixture of iron and brittle clay.
Each part of that statue represented the kingdoms of man—empires rising and falling, built on pride, bloodshed, and power. Babylon. Persia. Greece. Rome. And the broken mess of iron and clay that still tries to rule today.
But then…
“While you were watching, a stone was cut out, not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.” (Daniel 2:34)
That stone didn’t ask permission. That stone didn’t need a political vote. That stone didn’t come from any earthly power. It crushed every man-made kingdom. It ground them to dust.
And then that stone became a mountain, a holy kingdom that filled the whole earth.
“In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed... It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” (Daniel 2:44)
Who is that stone? That’s my Jesus!
He wasn’t made by human hands. He wasn’t voted in by governments. He didn’t come to play politics or beg for a seat at the table. He came to establish a Kingdom that will never pass away.
And let me tell you—He came once as the Lamb. He was bruised, crushed, mocked, and pierced for us. He came lowly, riding on a donkey, crowned with thorns. Yea, that’s my Jesus….
A New Covenant
The Old Covenant that God made with Israel through Moses, yes, it was good. The Law was holy, the commandments were right, and the sacrificial system was a shadow of things to come. But the people broke it again and again. Their hearts wandered, their lips praised while their lives rebelled. They brought sacrifices without repentance and offerings without love.
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8)
God was never impressed by blood alone. He never needed a spotless lamb, a perfect goat, or the firstborn of your flock. Those were just symbols, placeholders pointing to something greater. What He wanted—what He always wanted—was your heart.
“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16–17)
“I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats...Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” (Isaiah 1:11–17)
And we see this truth even earlier—in the story of Abraham and Isaac. God never wanted Isaac’s life. Isaac was the son He had promised, a miracle. But God tested Abraham, not to take something from him, but to reveal what was in his heart.
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love... and offer him there...” (Genesis 22:2)
Abraham obeyed. He trusted. And just as he raised the knife, God stopped him.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy... Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12)
God didn’t want Isaac. He wanted Abraham. His faith. His heart. His willingness to give even the most precious thing he had, not to earn God’s favor, but because he trusted God completely.
That has always been the point. He wants us to be willing to give Him our best, not because He needs it, but because we love Him. Not out of obligation, but from a full, thankful heart.
But we failed. So God made a promise:
“I will make a new covenant… not like the covenant I made with their ancestors… I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31–33)
I mean all the way back to the very beginning, God has been after one thing: your heart. Not your rituals. Not your religion. Not your best lamb or your finest grain. He’s always wanted your love. A willing heart that trusts Him, honors Him, and gives out of thankfulness, not out of duty.
This truth shows up right at the start with the very first family.
“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Genesis 4:2–5)
Why? Both brothers brought offerings, so what’s the problem?. well, that’s because only one gave from the heart.
Abel brought the firstborn, he brought the best of his flock, the choicest portions. He gave God what meant the most to him, because he honored God above all. It wasn’t about the lamb, it was about faith.
“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous…” (Hebrews 11:4)
Cain, on the other hand, brought “some” of his crops. Not the first. Not the best. Not with gratitude or reverence. It was an offering of obligation, not devotion. And God saw it. Because God always sees the heart behind the gift, its that simple folks!
But let’s move forward what did Jesus do?
He didn’t come to erase the Law, He came to fulfill it. He lived it out perfectly. But more than that, He showed us what it always meant. He summed up the Law in two commands: Love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). And then He did what no sacrifice ever could, instead of getting the best and giving it to God, The only perfect human ever the only spotless lamb ever and no one gave Him, He gave Himself!
“This is My blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
Jesus didn’t just die to clean the outside, He came to cleanse the inside. He didn't come to start a religion. He came to restore a relationship. The new covenant isn’t about rules, rituals, or race. It’s not about being Jewish or Gentile, clean or unclean, law-abiding or lawbreaking.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
This new covenant is about Jesus, and His amazing grace.
He tore the curtain, broke the curse, and opened the way. He said, “Follow Me” not to a temple or a list of rules, but to a cross, and then to a resurrected life. He invites us to walk with Him, talk with Him, live in Him, and let Him live in us.
So no, God never truly wanted sacrifices. He wanted your heart.
And through Jesus, He made a way to have it, forever……
Jesus Is coming again….
He ain’t coming as the suffering servant.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him...” (Revelation 1:7)
He’s coming as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
The Stone the builders rejected, but who has now become the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22).
And He’s not coming to blend in, He’s coming to take over. All the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay of man’s corrupt systems? Gone.
Every empire that built itself up in rebellion against God? Crushed.
Every power that stood in pride, claiming to be sovereign? Brought low.
Because Jesus Christ is the Rock that saves, and the Rock that shatters.
“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces;
but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Luke 20:18)
You either build your life on the Rock that saves, or you build on the sand, and then that Rock with crush you. There is no third option.
That’s why He said:
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
That Rock is unshakable. That Rock is eternal. That Rock is Jesus. And right now, today, He’s still giving people a chance to build their life on Him.
But when He comes again, the time for building will be over. That Rock is returning, and He’s not coming to fit into anyone’s system.
He’s coming to rule with justice, with truth, with fire in His eyes, and a sword in His mouth.
I know the Rock I stand on. I know the Kingdom that’s coming. And I know the King who’s coming with it. He’s not some religious option. He’s not one truth among many.
“He is the Way, The truth, The Life.” (John 14:6)
So let me say it clear, simple and straight so no one fusses:
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
That means if you’ve been born again, if you’re following Jesus, you are part of God’s chosen people.
Doesn’t matter where you were born or who your ancestors are, remember we are all children from Adam & Eve the couple God hand made, don’t ever forget that.
Doesn’t matter if you’re from Jerusalem or Jamaica, Cairo or South Georgia.
If you’re in Christ, you’re His chosen people.
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” (1 Peter 2:9)
Supporting Israel Doesn’t Mean Blind Obedience
Here’s where folks screw it all up:
We are not supposed to support Israel to get rich. We are not supposed to bless Israel to get favor. And we sure ain’t supposed to be going to war for fame or votes.
We do what God tells us to do, period! We support God’s people because He loves them, but not their sin. If someone says they’re a “Christian” but lives like the devil, You don’t support that.
Same with Israel, You don’t support wickedness just because of who they are. But you also don’t curse them like some religions do either.
You stand for truth. You help those in need, protect the vulnerable, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. But you don’t give a drug addict more drugs just to seem helpful, that’s not how it works.
That’s not love, that’s destruction. And you’ll only know the difference if you understand the heart of God and what His Word says.
I mean, Even Peter got It wrong, yeah the so-called “first pope” He got it wrong more than once.
God gave him a vision of unclean animals and told him to eat.
Peter said no. God said yes, because the Gentiles were now part of the plan.
Later, Peter tried to act better than the Gentiles, and Paul had to call him out to his face. (Galatians 2)
So yeah, if Peter struggled to get it right, don’t be shocked if modern folks do too.
The Land of Israel Is Still Special
Let me add something else most people skip over or water down:
The land of Israel itself is special. Not because of politics. Not because of man.
Because God Himself gave that land to Abraham and his descendants forever.
“To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7)
“The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘I am giving all this land to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.’” (Genesis 17:8)
It’s not just symbolic, it’s literal. That’s the land where Jesus walked. That’s the land where the prophets preached. That’s the land where the cross stood.
And that’s the land where He’s coming back to.
“On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives… and the Mount shall be split in two.” (Zechariah 14:4)
Jesus will return to Israel, not Washington D.C. or Rome.
He will stand on the Mount of Olives, split it in two, and reign as King from Jerusalem, His holy city.
“The Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and His name one.” (Zechariah 14:9)
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” (Luke 1:32)
That throne? It’s not in America. It’s not in the Vatican.
It’s in Jerusalem, the city of David, the capital of the promised land to Abraham that started the whole thing.
Jesus is coming back, Not as a baby in a manger, but as the King of Kings.
The Lion of Judah. The Risen One with fire in His eyes, crowns on His head, and justice in His hands.
He’s coming to set up His Kingdom, Just like He promised David. And He’ll rule forever from His throne, with His chosen people by His side.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…” (Revelation 1:7)
So no, God is not done with Israel, and He’s not done with Jerusalem either.
He made promises. And He keeps His promises, every single time.
Bottom Line
So if anyone is still confused about who are God’s chosen people, after reading that and drinking all that coffee, well, let’s make it very clear!
It’s not about bloodlines, it’s about being born again.
It’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.
It’s not about following men, it’s about following Jesus.
It’s not about who you heard, it’s about what He said.
It’s not about going to “church”, it’s about His body the Church.
It’s not about rules, it’s all about faith from your heart.
It’s not about us, its about Jesus!
If you are one of the Born Again, Bible believing, God fearing, Jesus confessing, sin forgiven people, then you are “God’s Chosen People” the body of Christ, His bride, The Church.
Everything in this life is about Jesus. I mean Everything!
He is the Beginning and the End. The Cornerstone and the Coming King. The Seed, the Lamb, the Rock, and the Ruler of All.
And when He comes back,
You better not be found tripping over the Stone you were supposed to be standing on.
Because there’s only two choices: Jesus or Satan. Truth or lies. The Rock or the sand.
And I pray with everything in me that you choose Jesus today!
Until next time folks I Hope God truly blesses you each and every day!
~ Joe Lester ~