How did God begin the nation of Israel?
God began the nation of Israel by calling Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees. He separated Abraham from the mainstream of humanity and promised that from that one man would come a distinctive race and nation. This called-out, separated people became God's earthly people, Israel.
Les explains that as soon as Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldee, God separated him from the mainstream of humanity and promised that out of that one man would come a distinctive race and nation, the nation of Israel. What made them distinctive was that from the very onset of the promise to Abraham until they were finally dispersed after they had rejected their king, Israel had it constantly drummed into their mindset that they were a special, called-out, separated, covenant people of God, and all their promises are earthly. Thus they are referred to as God's earthly people. Les also notes that Abraham was a wealthy man, and many in Israel had tremendous wealth because their promises were earthly.