For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself
To be his own special people, and not another's; for his own
service, and for his glory; and to be an habitation for himself,
and to be for ever with him. This is not to be understood
personally of Jacob, though a chosen vessel of mercy; nor of his
natural posterity as such, though chosen as a nation to outward
favours; for not all they, only some of them, were chosen to
special grace and glory, a remnant according to the election of
grace: but mystical and spiritual Jacob and Israel are meant,
even the whole church and people of God, whether Jews or
Gentiles; these God has chosen, of his own free grace and good
will, to all the blessings of grace and glory, and that from all
eternity; which choice will remain firm and immutable, in time
and for ever; and therefore is worthy of praise and thanksgiving,
now, and to all eternity;
[and] Israel for his peculiar treasure;
by whom they are accounted as such; even as the peculiar treasure
of kings, as silver, gold, jewels, and precious stones; as his
inheritance, his portion, and peculiar people; see ( Exodus 19:5 ) (
Malachi
3:17 ) .