What does it mean that Israel's special standing is positional?
Israel's special standing is positional because the Greek word for adoption means to be placed as a full son. It describes God positioning Israel as a unique, set-apart nation—a status no other people can infringe upon or invade. It is not primarily a legal term but a divinely placed position.
Les teaches that in Romans 9:4 Israel's privileges are listed, beginning with the adoption. The Greek term behind adoption meant to be placed as a full son, so it is positional rather than mainly legal. The nation of Israel has therefore been positioned as a unique, set-aside nation. No one can infringe on or invade that position that only Israel of all the world's peoples enjoys. Les then points to Deuteronomy 7:6, where Moses tells Israel they are a holy people, chosen by the Lord to be a special people above all people on earth. That confirms Israel's special standing is a placed status, not something shared by the nations.