How did the Jews respond to their privileged position as God's people?
The Jews responded to their privileged position as God's people by taking it to an extreme, viewing Gentiles as pagan dogs unworthy of God's attention. They lost sight of God's intent for Israel to evangelize Gentiles, and when Paul mentioned Gentiles, they rioted, refusing to accept that God's salvation could extend to them.
Les explains that the Jewish mindset, even back in Jonah's day, was that Gentiles had nothing to do with their God. Jonah sailed west instead of east to Nineveh, showing reluctance to bring God's message to Gentiles. This exclusivity continued into Christ's earthly ministry, illustrated by the Canaanite woman who asked for crumbs from the master's table, acknowledging the Jews' privileged place with the Word of God. The Jews took that privilege to the extreme, so when Paul later spoke the word "Gentiles" in Acts, a riot broke out. Yet God's whole intent was for Israel, as a kingdom of priests, to one day evangelize those Gentiles (Isaiah 2).