Other then genelogically, why else did God choose Israel as his people?

Question

Biblically, God made his covenant with Abram, who was 10 generations after Noah. Why, other than his bloodline, was Abram chosen?

Biblically, God made his covenant with Abram, who was 10 generations after Noah. Why, other than his bloodline, was Abram chosen?

(Please cite Scripture references as basis for answers).

Answer 1

Because Abram was a righteous man. Noah was the most righteous of his time, but even he was not as righteous as Abraham. Abraham argued with God to save the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah -- Noah should have done the same before the flood.

It's more accurate to say that Israel chose God. Anyone willing to observe God's 613 commandments can be a member of the chosen people -- even to this day. We have chosen to work with God to help Him to finish His creation. You'll be amazed to find that observing those commandments is a joy, NOT a burden.
.

Answer 2

Abram had no sons and I think that he was more likely to willfully submit to God's wishes to leave his homeland and form a covenant as he would have been more desperate for God to uphold his promise of progeny

Answer 3

God made a covenant with Noah! The Noahic Covenant.

Gen 6:17,18
And Behold, I Myself am bringing the flood of waters on the earth, to distroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; and everything that is on the earth shall die.
18. "But I will establish My Covenant with you; and you shall go unto the ark- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

Gen 8:20
Then Noah built and alter to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (21) And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing that I have done.

It's not until we get into Ch 9:1 -19 that we see the full Noahic Covenant.
The provisions of the Covenant are:
a. The responsibility to populate the earth is reaffirmed (v.1)
b. The subjection of the animal kingdom to man reaffirmed (v.2)
c. Man is permitted to eat the flesh of animals. However, he is to refrain from eating blood (vv.3,4).
d. The sacredness of human life is established. "Whatever sheds man's blood, whether man or beast, must be put to death"(vv.5,6)
e. This covenant is confirmed to Noah, all mankind, and every living creature on the face of the earth (vv.9,0)
f. The promis is given never to destroy the earth again by a universal flood (v.11).
g. The rainbow is designated as a testimony of the existence of this covenant and the promise never to destroy the earth by flood. As long as we can see the rainbow we will know that God's Covenant with Noah is still in existence. (vv.12-17)


Abraham was always obediant to the Lord in all that he commanded. The covenant with Abraham is the first of the theocratic covenants (pertaining to the rule of God) and the basis for all other covenants and provides for blessings in three areas: (1) national--"I will make you a great nation," (2) personal--"I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing," and (3) universal--"in you all families of the earth shall be blessed." The Abrahamic Covenant consitutes an important link that God began to do, has done throughout history, and will continue to do until the consummation of history. It is the one purpose of God for humans into which all of God's programs and works fit. The personal aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant are fourfold: (1) to be the father of a great nation, (2) to recieve personal blessing, (3) to recieve personal honor and reputation, and (4) to be the source of blessings to others. The universal aspect of the covenant is threefold: (1) blessings for those people and nations which bless Abraham and the nation which comes from him; (2) cursings upon those people and nations which curse Abraham and Israel: and (3) blessings upon all the families of the earth through the Messiah, who, according to the flesh, is Abraham's son and provides salvation for the entire world.

God bless Israel

Answer 4

Perhaps, because the Jewish people recognized the one true God! Even if not all submitted to Him...led astray and such....God loves them for the fact that they recognized HIM!

One good example, Daniel! God showed Himself to Daniel in a dream and Daniel was awakened with a DIE HARD resolve that God is just who He says HE is...GOD!

Answer 5

Abraham was chosen because of his devotion.

He logically and rationally came to the idea that their was one and only G-d and thousands of small ones.

He was willing to die for this ideal, and on top of that G-d gave him ten tests to show that he was worthy.

Answer 6

Because he was willing to accept the contract. The others wouldn't.

Answer 7

He had faith.