A Chosen People

Attending a recent Torah study in a local synagogue the subject of the Jewish people being the "Chosen People" came up.

Photo Courtesy of Gary Dornbach

Some said they were uncomfortable with being called chosen.
Is it possible that the concept of being chosen is also an overwhelming responsibility to "Be Holy"?

One woman said, "It seems wrong to be called chosen because it can bring about an elitist mentality which can bring about arrogance...".

One famous Rabbi says a few times, "Many are called but few are chosen".

Balance comes about by remembering Who you have been chosen by.


When we become favored by someone in power it impacts us then we feel a sense of entitlement and power.

Being chosen should actually bring about humility not arrogance. 

Lets say you were really close to the President of the United States, your status in life becomes seemingly more significant.

Yet, when it comes to being closer to God the closer you get the more you realize how insignificant you truly are and how great He is.

You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation, as stated in Exodus 19
While not everyone is a priest, we are all called to a priestly function ... that function is to bring God to the people while bringing the people closer to God.

Having someone of power on your favorites along with family members.
Meeting people of significant value in this world then connecting with them on social media.
The feeling of importance that sweeps over you because of who you know.
God has a way of bursting that egotistical bubble often through humbling life experiences.
Many of those in important positions wouldn't be tarnished to be near you during your crisis either.

When it comes to our rich knowledge of the Bible which creates our close relationship with God we need to be careful that we don't have an elitist attitude.

The privilege to be "chosen" allows us the beautiful opportunity to draw close to God.

To hear the Truth, to bring it to the world, to shine and yet be humble.

At Mt. Sinai, according to legend, everyone in the world with the 70 known languages of that day heard God in their own language. Each people had the same opportunity to receive the Torah, yet only the Jewish people and the strangers among them accepted it.

Just as an atom could bring about the atomic bomb so it is with an ego used without caution can bring about a detrimental explosion to both self and others.

And so this brings us back to the beginning where some felt unworthy to be called chosen as they do not want the arrogance that often accompanies chosenness...that my friend is called humility.

If you have truth and you are arrogant then you are not acting "chosen".

The test of chosenness is actually how humble you are.

You may be so humble as to think you are not chosen, but you are and should act accordingly.

"Not by might and not by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord." Zechariah 4:6