Yes—Israel is God's chosen people because God sovereignly called Abraham and set apart his descendants as a special covenant nation.
In the transcripts, Les Feldick explains that God separated Abraham from the mainstream of humanity and promised that from him would come a distinctive nation—Israel. God designated this small, covenant nation for a unique role: to be a kingdom of priests and to bring all the nations of the world to a knowledge of Israel's God.
Deuteronomy 7:7 — This verse explicitly states that God chose Israel not because of their numbers, but because He set His love upon them—it is the clearest scriptural basis for Israel as the chosen people.
Exodus 19:6 — This verse reveals the intended role of the chosen nation—Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy (separated) nation.
The Bible plainly teaches that Israel's chosen status is an act of God's sovereign love, not a reward for national greatness. In Deuteronomy 7:7 Moses tells Israel, '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.' God chose the smallest of nations for His own purposes. The role that came with that choice is defined in 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.' Israel was set apart to be a holy—that is, separated—nation, serving as priests before God.
Les Feldick teaches that God's choice of Israel began with a sovereign act of separation. God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees and pulled him out of the mainstream of humanity. From that one man God promised to make a distinctive race and nation—Israel. From the very beginning, Israel was constantly reminded that they were a special, called-out, separated covenant people of God. Les calls them 'God's earthly people' because all their promises are earthly. God's purpose in choosing Israel was not to favor one nation at the expense of others. Les explains that God set Israel above all nations so that they could eventually bring all the other nations of the world to a knowledge of Israel's God. If Israel had been obedient, they would have become a kingdom of priests and a holy (separated) nation. In God's sovereignty, He deliberately chose the smallest nation rather than the largest, and even though Israel has faced countless attempts to destroy them over the millennia, their survival itself is a testimony that they are still God's covenant people.
In a world that equates size with significance, God did the opposite. Les Feldick points out that God did not choose the biggest nation or the nation with the most people; He chose the smallest, starting with one man—Abraham. This is consistent with Deuteronomy 7:7, where Scripture says the LORD did not choose Israel because they were more in number than any people, for they were the fewest of all.
Israel's calling was never just for their own benefit. God told Abraham that he would be a blessing to all the rest of the world. Les emphasizes that Israel was to be the channel through which the knowledge of Israel's God would flow back to the nations. He describes this as Israel being a nation of go-betweens—priests—between God and the rest of the world, promised the role of a kingdom of priests if they would obey.
Les Feldick acknowledges that Israel was eventually dispersed after rejecting their King, yet he teaches that they are still the covenant people of God. The very survival of the Jewish nation over the centuries—against every attempt to obliterate them—is, in Les's view, proof that God's covenant promises remain. God has preserved Israel because they are His covenant people.
Why Did Jesus Only Go to Israel? Matthew 10:5-6 Explained
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God's Separation of Abraham
Les shows that God separated Abraham from the mainstream of humanity and promised to make from him a distinct nation—Israel—a special, called-out, covenant people of God.
Sovereign Designation of Israel
Les says God set Israel above all the nations of the world, calling them the chosen people and favored nation, with the express purpose of bringing all nations to a knowledge of Israel's God.
Israel Drawn From the River of Humanity
Les pictures God pulling the little stream of Israel out of the river of humanity so they could funnel the knowledge of God back into the nations.
Gentiles Grafted Into Israel's Place
Les notes that Israel held the promises given to Abraham, but God also promised to bless all nations through Abraham—and after Israel was set aside, the Gentile world was grafted into that place.
Israel as a Kingdom of Priests
Les explains the conditional promise that if Israel obeyed, they would become a kingdom of priests, go-betweens, and a holy—that is, separated—nation.
God's Choosing of the Smallest Nation
Les makes clear that God did not choose Israel because they were the largest nation; He chose the smallest group, starting with one man, Abraham.
Israel's Survival as Covenant People
Les points to the historical survival of Israel against all odds as evidence that they remain God's covenant people.
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.
This is the clearest statement that God's choice of Israel was not based on national size or strength.
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 reveals the purpose attached to Israel's chosen status—a kingdom of priests and a separated nation.
No. According to Deuteronomy 7:7, God did not choose them because they were many in number; they were the fewest of all people. Les Feldick points out that God chose the opposite of what the world values—He started with one man, Abraham, and made from him the small nation of Israel.
Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests and a holy, separated nation. As Les Feldick explains, they were to be go-betweens who would bring all the nations of the world to a knowledge of Israel's God.
Les Feldick points to Israel's survival against all odds as evidence that they remain God's covenant people. Even though many have tried to obliterate the nation over the millennia, God has preserved them because of His covenant promises.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Jesus Only Go to Israel? Matthew 10:5-6 Explained