The Church the new Israel

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

• A chosen race (Dt 7:6 & 1 Pet 2:9)

• A royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people of God’s own possession (Ex 19:6 & 1 Pet 2:9)

• Saved from slavery: Moses led the exodus of Israel from Pharaoh (Ex 3:7-10); Jesus, the new Moses, leads the new exodus of the Church from sin (Mt 26:28)

• Renewed through the Holy Spirit and water: Israel with the pillar of cloud crossing the Red Sea (Ex 14:15-31); the Church by baptism (Mt 28:19; Jn 3:5)

• Given bread from heaven: manna gave life to the Israelites in the wilderness (Ex 16:32); the new manna, the Eucharist is the bread of eternal life for the Church (Jn 6:48-51)

• Fight enemies to reach the promised land: the army of Israel with leader Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan (Josh 6, 8, 10, 11); the Church with her head Jesus, the new Joshua, battles sin for us to enter heaven (1 Pet 5:8-10)

• A kingdom of God on earth: led by Saul (1 Sam 9:15-16), David (1 Sam 16:1) and his sons (1 Chr 28:5); heralded by Jesus (Mk 1:14-15) regarding the Church (Rom 14:17; Rev 5:10)

• Light of the world: from Israel salvation would extend to all nations (Is 42:6, 49:6); the Church would be a light for others to glorify God (Mt 5:14-15)

• God always with Israel (Is 46:3-4); Jesus always with the Church (Mt 28:20)

• Symbolised as a flock of sheep: God would shepherd Israel instead of the corrupt Jewish leaders (Eze 24); Jesus is the good shepherd gathering one flock the Church of all nations (Jn 10:11-16)

• Spousal love: God for Israel (Hos 2:18,21); Jesus the bridegroom for his bride the Church (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25; Rev 19:7)