Why did God say Israel had intrinsic value to Him?
God said Israel had intrinsic value because all the earth is His and He is sovereign. As Creator, He can do with His world whatever He wills, and He sovereignly chose that nation to be a particular people of value to reach the pagans.
Les explains that in Exodus 19 God calls Israel His treasure above all people, and the reason is His ownership and sovereignty: 'all the earth is Mine.' Because God is Sovereign, He created the world and can do with it whatever He wants; human resistance cannot diminish His sovereignty. In that sovereignty He told Israel He had made them of intrinsic value because the world is His. God's original intent was for this little nation to be a particular people of value He could use to reach the pagans. The promise followed: if they were obedient, they would be a kingdom of priests. Since a priest is a go-between, every Jew was to be prepared to mediate between the pagan world and Israel's God.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
How did God in His sovereignty give Israel intrinsic value?
In His sovereignty, God made Israel intrinsically valuable to Himself because the whole world belongs to Him. He declared them His treasure above all people and promised that, if obedient, they would be a kingdom of priests—go-betweens to the pagan world.
What did God's covenant do for the nation of Israel?
God's covenant gave Israel the Law, priesthood, and sacrificial worship, making them aware of His holiness and sovereignty and preparing them for a future role. It lifted them from humanity's mainstream into covenant relationship as God's favored, chosen people, a peculiar treasure above all people.
More Questions
What does 'peculiar treasure' mean when God says Israel will be His peculiar treasure?
The word 'peculiar' in 'peculiar treasure' means a treasure of intrinsic value that is beyond comprehension and cannot be valued, not merely an ordinary treasure of a few thousand or million dollars.
Was God's promise to make Israel a peculiar treasure conditional?
God's promise that Israel should be His peculiar treasure above all people was conditional on their obeying His voice and keeping His covenant; He leaves the choice to their will and does not force them.