(Words mean something.)
In these few verses we find both the doctrines of grace and God’s attributes on display. Verse 6 tells us that God has a “chosen” people. The word “chosen”, 977, means that they were acceptable, appointed specifically by God. And He called them “holy”, 6918, which means a saint or sanctuary. And importantly, He chose them unto Himself, not for any other.
Verse 7 tells us that their being chosen was by unconditional election. There was nothing that they did to earn His electing grace. This unconditional election was based on His love for them also found in verse 7. “Love”, 2836, here means desire, set His love. And so, He set His love on a people that did nothing to deserve it. That is the same as His love for all of the elect, throughout scripture. No one deserves it but He chose those whom He will love. We did not choose Him. Though “we love Him because He first loved us” (I John 4:19). In verse 8 we also see the word “loved”, 160, simply meaning love.
In verses 8 and 9, we also see God’s attributes. Verse 8 says that God would “keep the oath sworn unto the fathers.” Here is an example of God’s faithfulness. And His faithfulness is not temporary or until they rejected Him (Matthew 23). His faithfulness and His love are eternal. They are irreversible. In verse 9 it is written of His mercy, 2617, meaning lovingkindness, goodness, and favor. The same mercy that Paul wrote of in Romans 9:15, “For he saith unto Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” It is our Sovereign God Who shows mercy to His people. It is His choice, not man’s.
So, we see that God chooses Whom He will and He loves them because He so chooses to do so. His mercy and faithfulness are a result of His love for His chosen people that He will protect, yet punish, if necessary, until He brings the remnant back to the land of Israel that He gave as we see the Tribulation unfolding (Zechariah 14).
Words mean something. And they do not change meaning because man wants the words to fit his own vocabulary or thinking. Malachi 3:6 reminds us, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob (Israel) are not consumed.” God will protect Israel forever. And the Church is not the new Israel.
Why do those educated preachers who teach Replacement or Fulfillment theology refuse to see this?
