The People of God’s Kingdom in Israel’s History

1. CONNECT

   10min
   In our last session, we considered how God gave the Promised Land to the nation of Israel as the place from which his people would spread his kingdom to the ends of the earth. But who were these people? As the world fell under the ruin of sin, God chose Abraham’s descendants, the people of Israel, as his treasured possession, a holy nation of royal and priestly images of God. It was Israel’s privilege to serve God first in the Promised Land and from there to spread the blessings of God’s kingdom to all nations on earth. God’s call to Israel set the course for service that Jesus and his followers now fulfill.

2. Reflection

   We often speak of the people of Israel as God’s chosen people. Why are they known as such? It was not because they were more deserving than any other people on earth. Rather, it was because God selected them by his grace and made them his special chosen people. They became a royal priesthood in service to God. God gave Israel the privilege of leading every tribe and nation on earth in furthering his kingdom throughout the earth to his endless praise. In a similar way, we often speak of Christians as God’s chosen people today. Why are we considered as God’s chosen people? It is not because we’re more deserving than others. On the contrary, it’s because, by God’s grace, all who believe in Jesus become true children of Abraham and heirs to the promises given to Abraham. We too become a royal priesthood in God’s service as we further the kingdom of God throughout the earth to the glory of God.

3. Guiding Question

   What does it mean for us today that God chose Israel to be the special people of his kingdom?

4. WATCH

   15min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. Read God’s words to Israel at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:4-6 and answer the following questions:
      1. How did God demonstrate his choice of Israel by showing them grace prior to arriving at Sinai?
      2. What did it mean for God to call Israel his “treasured possession among all peoples”?
   2. In Exodus 19:6, God called Israel a “kingdom of priests” (or as some translations put it, “a royal priesthood”). How does this combination of royalty and priesthood reveal Israel’s call to carry on the service of Adam and Eve as royal, priestly images of God?
   3. Explain this statement: “As the nation of Israel developed, God selected people to the special offices of priest and king in order to lead all of Israel in their priestly and royal service to God as his images.” (hint: Consider the work of Aaron and his descendants and the dynasty of David.)

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. How do God’s words to Israel in Exodus 19:4-6 apply to God’s chosen people in every age? What do these words mean to you personally?
   2. Scripture tells us that God’s people are a “kingdom of priests.” How are believers today a kingdom of priests?
   3. What are you doing to help spread God’s kingdom to the ends of the earth?

7. CHALLENGE

   Write down four ways that God’s call to Israel as his chosen people has impacted your life as a follower of Jesus. Finish with a time of prayer.