God's Exceptional Choice

From a mountain in the wilderness of Sinai, God told Moses, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.… You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5–6a). God’s words declare one of the central themes of Scripture: God’s freedom to choose a people to be his own.

Our limited understanding will not fully comprehend God’s choices. His selections may defy our standards for determining who is considered “choice.” Ultimately, he is in no way bound by our human standards. This quarter’s Scripture texts unpack the exceptional nature of God’s choice.

An Obscure Choice

The quarter begins by looking at the narratives in Genesis set amid the nomadic life of the ancient Near East. God demonstrated his choice by calling a descendant of Noah to experience blessing and a new land (Genesis 12:1–7). God’s choice was demonstrated through this family as he chose certain individuals for service to his name (25:19b–34).

God’s choice is not reserved for the notable or the powerful. These Scripture texts show that he may choose people not widely recognized. His choice is not based on any criteria other than his desire and freedom to choose.

Sometimes our expectations do not align with God’s choice. We should practice humility and show attentiveness to God’s purposes​—he might work in ways that catch us unaware. Are you in a position to notice?

A Surprising Choice

Through the second unit of lessons, God’s choice is shown, even through the centuries. These lessons highlight the development of God’s choice of his people, from a child born of a slave (Exodus 2:1–10) to a shepherd turned king (1 Samuel 16:1–13). God’s call can be unexpected—he may even choose people who are trying to avoid his call altogether (Judges 6:7–16a)!

God choice will often be in spite of human expectations. Moses’ path to fulfilling God’s choice was marked by uncertainty and risk (Exodus 2:3–4). Gideon had no reputation aligned with the tasks God called him to do (Judges 6:15). David’s fitness as king was overlooked by his own family (1 Samuel 16:7–12). Have you felt incompatible with God’s choice over your life? Remember that God is “the Rock, his works are perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

A Life-Changing Choice

The final unit of lessons highlights how God continues to choose people for his will. These four lessons explore Paul’s teaching to Christians in the city of Ephesus regarding the life-changing nature of God’s choice over their lives—and ours.

Paul explained the life-changing nature of God’s choice when he wrote that God’s people are blessed “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4). For God’s people, being chosen comes with responsibility. Their actions and choices will be changed in light of God’s choice.

God’s people must live with obedience and good works in Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10). Evil in the world desires to tear down God’s chosen people. Therefore, God’s people must prepare (see 6:10–18)!

We can encourage and support other believers through prayer, preaching, teaching, discipleship, and mentoring. God’s exceptional choice can never be doubted. He desires that his people live in a manner that reflects his choice. Let us turn our eyes toward that goal.

Cotten, Christopher. 2022. “Quarter at a Glance.” In The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022–2023, edited by Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, 29:3. The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing.