Yes — Israel is special because God sovereignly chose this small nation to be His peculiar treasure and covenant people above all nations.
God explicitly declared in Deuteronomy 7:6 that He chose Israel to be a special people to Himself above all people on the earth. Les Feldick explains that this choice was sovereign, accompanied by unique privileges such as adoption, glory, covenants, the law, temple worship, and promises (Romans 9:4).
Deuteronomy 7:6 — God explicitly says He chose Israel to be a special people to Himself above all people on the earth.
Exodus 19:5 — God calls Israel a peculiar treasure above all people because all the earth is His.
Romans 9:4 — Paul lists the unique privileges belonging to Israelites.
The Bible presents Israel's special position as a direct act of God's sovereign choice. In Deuteronomy 7:6, God says to Israel: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." This choice was not based on Israel's size or strength. Deuteronomy 7:7 states: "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people." In Exodus 19:5, God continues this theme: "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." The Bible also shows that Israel holds unique privileges. Romans 9:4 says of the Israelites: "To whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises." Deuteronomy 32:8 further indicates Israel's central place: "When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel."
Les Feldick teaches that God sovereignly set Israel aside and above all other nations, calling them the chosen people, the favored nation, and the covenant people. He draws attention to Exodus 19:5 where God calls Israel a peculiar treasure, and he clarifies that "peculiar" in the original language does not mean odd or strange but means a treasure of intrinsic value. Les stresses that God can make this designation because He is sovereign: "all the earth is mine." Les also points out that Israel has always been a small nation, never more than about 15 or 16 million people, yet God lifted them out of the mainstream of humanity into a covenant relationship. In Deuteronomy 32:8, Les sees Israel at the very core of the whole human experience, with the boundaries of the nations set according to Israel's number. He further explains that Israel's unique role was to bring all nations to a knowledge of Israel's God.
God's word in Exodus 19:5 calls Israel a "peculiar treasure." Les Feldick explains that the original word does not mean odd or strange; it points to intrinsic value — a treasure beyond ordinary wealth. He says Israel is "above all people" in God's economy because God is sovereign and all the earth is His. This phrase pictures Israel as something priceless to God.
In Exodus 19:5, God says "if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant," then Israel will be a peculiar treasure. Les highlights this condition while also stressing that God sovereignly elevates Israel above the nations. He explains that this elevated position lasts until the dispersions, and that God will bring Israel back to be the head of the nations in the end-time scenario.
Deuteronomy 7:7 says God did not choose Israel because they were more numerous; they were the fewest of all people. Les reinforces this by noting Israel has never been more than about 15 or 16 million people. Despite its small size, God separated Israel to Himself and gave them the covenant.
Romans 9:4 lists privileges that belong to Israelites: the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises. Les uses this passage to show the unique benefits God gave to Israel. From Deuteronomy 32:8, he also draws the conclusion that Israel stands at the core of the whole human experience.
Privileges Belonging to Israel from Romans 9:4
Les opens Romans 9:4 and enumerates the privileges that belong to Israel, including adoption, glory, covenants, the giving of the law, the service of the temple, and promises.
Israel Set Apart as God's Favored Nation
Les teaches that God sovereignly designated Israel as a chosen, favored, covenant nation above all others, for a unique role in His program — without excluding the Gentiles.
Exodus 19:5 and Israel's Elevated Position
Les explains Exodus 19:5 as God lifting Israel above all nations on condition of covenant obedience, and stresses God's sovereignty in saying 'all the earth is mine.'
Peculiar Treasure Means Intrinsic Value
Les clarifies that the word 'peculiar' does not mean odd; in the original language it means intrinsic value, and Israel is a special people above all people because God is sovereign.
Israel as a Treasure of Intrinsic Value
Les expands the idea of peculiar treasure: Israel is beyond ordinary treasure, of intrinsic value beyond comprehension, and above all people because God owns all the earth.
Covenant Relationship as God's Chosen People
Les says Exodus 19:5 lifts Israel out of the mainstream of humanity and places them in covenant relationship as God's favored, chosen people.
Israel at the Center of the Nations
Les uses Deuteronomy 32:8 to show that the nations were divided according to the number of Israel, placing Israel at the very core of human experience.
A Small Nation Separated by God
Les notes that Israel has always been a small nation — never more than 15 or 16 million — yet God separated them unto Himself and gave them the covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:6: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
This is the clearest statement that God chose Israel as a special people to Himself.
Deuteronomy 7:7: The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
It explains that Israel's choice was not based on size.
Exodus 19:5: 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:
God calls Israel a peculiar treasure above all nations.
Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
This continues God's description of Israel's holy status.
Deuteronomy 32:8: When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
It shows Israel's central place in God's arrangement of the nations.
Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Paul lists distinctive privileges belonging to Israel.
No. Deuteronomy 7:7 plainly says the Lord did not choose Israel because they were more numerous, for they were the fewest of all people. Les also points out that Israel has always been a small nation, often numbering only 5–16 million, yet God separated them to Himself.
In the original language, 'peculiar' does not mean odd or strange; it refers to something of intrinsic value. Les teaches that Israel is a treasure of intrinsic value beyond comprehension in God's economy, chosen as God's favored covenant people above all peoples.
No. Les explains that God's special dealings with Israel do not mean He has blanked out the Gentile. Israel's unique role was to be prepared as a favored nation for the purpose of bringing all nations to a knowledge of Israel's God.
Watch the Teaching: 8 Privileges God Gave Only to Israel — Romans 9:4 Explained