The new people of God.

1 Peter 2.9-12.

Passages like the section of 1 Peter I’m analyzing today, tend to get quoted by people who wanna preach replacement theology, the belief Israel is no longer God’s chosen people, ’cause he ditched them because they rejected their Messiah. It’s not a belief consistent with the scriptures, ’cause God never ditched ancient Israel. He may have let the Assyrians and Babylonians conquer them, but he stuck with them regardless. Yes, after they rejected Jesus, he let the Romans conquer them. Yet he still hasn’t ditched them. Still wants to save them. Still wants to be their God, and they his people.

But—so long that we continue to abide in Christ, y’know, Jn 15.4 God also considers us Christians his people. A new people, bonded to him by his new covenant. Simon Peter applies some of the covenant-language of the Old Testament, previously applied to Israel, to us Christians. Not because those Old Testament passages were prophesying about Christendom; they weren’t. They’re absolutely about ancient Israel. But when we come out of the darkness and into God’s light, we become like ancient Israel, and discover our relationship with God looks like everything he promised their relationship with him coulda been—and could still be!—had they only followed him.

1 Peter 2.9-12 KWL

9All of you “chosen generation,” Is 43.20

you* “kingdom of priests

and holy nation,” Ex 19.6

you* “people I preserve” Is 43.21

exist so the virtues might be made known

of the One calling you* out of darkness

into his wonderful light.

10 Previously not a people,

and now God’s people.

Previously not shown grace,

and now you were shown grace.

11Beloved, I encourage you all,

like foreigners and refugees,

to stay away from fleshly desires—

whatever wages war with the soul—

12having your* way of life among the gentiles

be better so that,

though they speak ill of you* like criminals,

yet still seeing your* good deeds,

might glorify God on Judgment Day.

There are a lot of similarities between Christians and the ancient Hebrews. Previously they lived in darkness; they weren’t really a people-group; they were slaves in Egypt until the LORD rescued them. Christians, in comparison, before we turned to Jesus, were slaves to sin. God had to rescue us, same as he rescued the Hebrews—and wants to lead us towards a glorious destiny, same as he intended for the Hebrews.

If only we’d continue to follow him. Too many of us really don’t, give in to our fleshly desires, 1Pe 2.11 and hypocritically pretend that’s okay; we’ve got grace now! That’s gonna have consequences. Peter doesn’t get into that, but I remind you to learn the lesson from Israel’s bad example. There but for God’s grace go we.

Peter’s Old Testament references.

Peter doesn’t use full quotes from the two passages he refers to, but I’ll quote ’em for your convenience.

Exodus 19.3-6 NET

3Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “Thus you will tell the house of Jacob, and declare to the people of Israel: 4‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I lifted you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5And now, if you will diligently listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is mine, 6and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites.”

Isaiah 46.16-21 NET

16This is what the LORD says,

the one who made a road through the sea,

a pathway through the surging waters,

17the one who led chariots and horses to destruction,

together with a mighty army.

They fell down, never to rise again;

they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick:

18“Don’t remember these earlier events;

don’t recall these former events.

19Look, I am about to do something new.

Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it?

Yes, I will make a road in the wilderness

and paths in the wastelands.

20The wild animals honor me,

the jackals and ostriches,

because I put water in the wilderness

and streams in the wastelands,

to quench the thirst of my chosen people,

21the people whom I formed for myself,

so they might praise me.”

Except, y’know, they don’t do that, Is 46.22-27 so there will be consequences. Is 46.28

That’s the thing about these passages: They promise great things for God’s chosen people, but they’re conditional promises. The people gotta follow! And the same’s true of us Christians. We gotta follow. We can’t just presume they’re unconditional blessings, like so many Christians do. Just a few days ago I was listening to a gospel song on the radio, which promised God’s gonna come through for us no matter what, and that’s not biblical. God absolutely does grant some unconditional blessings—like he’s always gonna be there for us, to comfort and guide and listen and forgive. But does he promise us perfect health all our lives? Nope; eventually we’re all gonna die. Does he promise a life without suffering? Just the opposite. Jn 16.33 But is he gonna be there for us, to comfort us when we’re suffering? Absolutely.

Ancient Israel’s relationship with God continued to exist despite their sins. Israel’s descendants, whether Christian or not, still have a relationship with him, despite their sins. And while the writers of the New Testament regularly presume we’re gonna strive to have a healthy relationship with God, gonna regularly repent of our sins and strive not to sin, many of us may simply repeat ancient Israel’s mistakes and presume too much upon our relationship with God, and figure cheap grace will cover all. It will not. God graciously calls us to be better than that. Flee those fleshly desires. Pursue the sort of good deeds which pagans, whether they badmouth us or not, can’t deny.