ABSTRACT
Close relations exist between God and mankind. Israel has been chosen by God to be a consecrated race- a race distinguished by holiness of life and by the possession of the purest religious truth. Self-sacrifice is the essential condition of Israel's election. The idea of the Election of Israel has for its corollary the idea of Israel's Mission. The Israelites owe their election to their descent, but not to the mere physical fact of their descent only. The election of Israel does not mean the rejection of mankind. The very title of God's "first born" given to the chosen race by the Bible implies that all humanity are His children. Like seed sown among mankind, Israel was to yield a bountiful harvest of souls won for the living God. The external character of Israel's religion has changed from age to age in response to his shifting needs and ideas.
