For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
The Lord chose Jacob, that is Israel, unto himself as his own treasured people and possession. That standing came from God's choice alone, not from size, numbers, or any superiority. The choice set them apart as distinct and separated from other nations. God's presence among them marked their standing as his chosen people.
The title carries the obligation to obey God's requirements as given in his word. Ancient Israel was given God's law but would not obey it, so ceremonies and ordinances were added so that in performing them God would be kept in remembrance and their minds stirred to realize their obligations to obey and honor their Creator, and had they been obedient and loved to keep his commandments the multitude of ceremonies and ordinances would not have been required. Israel's rebellion and mingling with surrounding nations in violation of that responsibility brought judgment. The choice calls God's people to remain distinct rather than unite with the world in its ways.
People who now profess to hold the place of God's peculiar treasure stand under the same choice. The verse applies to God's church as his chosen people and his fortress in a sinful, rebellious world, belonging under his authority and laws alone. The verse also applies to God's people in the last days, whom God purifies as a people set apart for himself. The verse gives the church reason to praise God for his goodness and to hope in him, because God has a people whom he claims as his own. In the same way, if those who now profess to be God's peculiar treasure obeyed his word, special testimonies to awaken them to duty and impress upon them their sinfulness and their fearful danger in neglecting to obey would not be needed. When light is set aside, neglected, and despised, consciences are blunted, and God will remove those testimonies, deprive of strength, and humble.
The Lord chose Jacob, that is Israel, unto himself as his own treasured people and possession. That standing came from God's choice alone, not from size, numbers, or any superiority. The choice set them apart as distinct and separated from other nations. God's presence among them marked their standing as his chosen people.
The title carries the obligation to obey God's requirements as given in his word. Ancient Israel was given God's law but would not obey it, so ceremonies and ordinances were added so that in performing them God would be kept in remembrance and their minds stirred to realize their obligations to obey and honor their Creator, and had they been obedient and loved to keep his commandments the multitude of ceremonies and ordinances would not have been required. Israel's rebellion and mingling with surrounding nations in violation of that responsibility brought judgment. The choice calls God's people to remain distinct rather than unite with the world in its ways.
People who now profess to hold the place of God's peculiar treasure stand under the same choice. The verse applies to God's church as his chosen people and his fortress in a sinful, rebellious world, belonging under his authority and laws alone. The verse also applies to God's people in the last days, whom God purifies as a people set apart for himself. The verse gives the church reason to praise God for his goodness and to hope in him, because God has a people whom he claims as his own. In the same way, if those who now profess to be God's peculiar treasure obeyed his word, special testimonies to awaken them to duty and impress upon them their sinfulness and their fearful danger in neglecting to obey would not be needed. When light is set aside, neglected, and despised, consciences are blunted, and God will remove those testimonies, deprive of strength, and humble.