Many times I have heard people claim that Israel was “God’s chosen people” and they would claim “God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel” and it is almost always put out there as some Axiom among evangelical Christians. It’s important that the issue is viewed clearly, honestly, openly. The basis for this initially comes from a passage in Genesis. “Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV
The common belief is that Israel is “God’s chosen people” and that comes from ““For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6 NKJV
So I feel interested, compelled to see where this really goes. What is the truth? Where does this really go when I don’t make a hasty conclusion?
Who are God’s people NOW? Who is Israel NOW? Are God’s chosen people a people that are Godly?
The country that we know as Israel today is not a religious nation. It is a secular country. There is no Temple where God chose to put His Name. One of the hallmarks of Israel being special was that they built a temple where God chose to put His Name. He was known to reside with Israel while they obeyed his Laws. No other country could be successful against them while God was with them. That did not last.
The times where Israel was rebellious, where they abandoned God, they were carried off to captivity.
Today’s world does look at Israel as somehow different. I’m thinking there is more sober ways of looking at the country of Israel. As an ethnic identity, the belief that Jews have in their own separateness, is special. It holds them together and gives them a point of contact that they have convinced themselves that they’re special. It gives them a fervor in their military operations. They have created an ultimate spy organization, known round the world as vicious and completely fanatical. That idea of Israel being “God’s chosen people” really is a call for fanatical action.
Paul was clear that the important thing is not the genetic connection to Israel but that only those who are Spiritually Israel. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:28-29 NKJV
Looking at the New Testament scriptures we are identified as a NEW nation. Saint Peter said, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV
Looking at this, we see that Christians are the Holy Nation. Christians are “the people of God” not some nation established under man’s laws. So when people want to claim Israel as God’s chosen people they should consider a few things. The nation of Israel is not a religious nation. The modern nation of Israel is not one established by God’s hand but they were established by the United Nations in 1948, the hand of man. They are not a holy nation, they don’t follow God’s law. While using the name they are as far from God as possible. They’re not a just government and do mistreat those foreigners living among them in violation of the Law of God given by Moses.
The modern nation of Israel is not living a Godly life. They mistreat those foreigners that live among them. They were established by man and not God.
To support the modern nation of Israel is like supporting every other nation. They are not something special, as Zionists would declare. The modern nation of Israel is just like every other nation that has won wars to establish the nation’s right to exist. They do not have the right to exist because they’re something special in God’s mind, they’re just like any other country.
To extend any other importance to Israel is misguided at best and at worst outright heresy.
The Tentmaker in the Desert 
How do you explain the prophecy of Jews being scattered to every nation in the world & then the prophecy of them coming home again ( Like a rose that blooms in the desert so shall my people Isreal) become a nation again.I agree with you that they act like any other nation & they treat the Muslims in Jorden bad. The Bible says that we ( Christians are grafted into the tree which is Isreal)
Actually the Church has replaced Israel as God’s people. The nation known as Israel has nothing to do with God. Most in Israel are trying to live as though there is no God or accountability.
As for the prophecies, in the Orthodox Life there’s little desire for predicting the future. It does nothing for us in holiness. It will not grow any part of our lives. The only thing that attempts at predicting the future has ever done is to distract people from the true mission.
So we, the Church, are God’s chosen people and the door is open to Jew and Gentile alike. No one is forced to stay out, they do so willingly.
The true question is what am I going to do about Christ? How am I going to live in holiness? It is not what this other guy is going to do.