In the biblical narrative, the concept of adoption is richly illustrated through the history and experiences of Israel, God's chosen people. This typology serves as a profound metaphor for the spiritual adoption of believers into the family of God.

Israel as God's Adopted Nation

The adoption of Israel is first seen in God's selection of Abraham and his descendants as a distinct people set apart for His purposes. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8 , God declares, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." This divine choice is not based on Israel's merit but on God's love and faithfulness to His covenant with the patriarchs.

Deliverance from Egypt

The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage further exemplifies their adoption. In Exodus 4:22-23 , God instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: 'Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you to let My son go, so he may worship Me.'" Here, Israel is metaphorically referred to as God's "firstborn son," highlighting the nation's special status and the intimate relationship God desires with His people.

Covenant Relationship

The Sinai Covenant solidifies Israel's adoption, as God gives the Law and establishes a covenant relationship with them. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God proclaims, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This covenant underscores Israel's role as God's adopted nation, set apart to reflect His holiness and mediate His blessings to the world.

Prophetic Affirmation

The prophets reaffirm Israel's adoption, even amidst their rebellion and exile. In Hosea 11:1 , God reminisces, "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son." Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's enduring love and commitment to His adopted people remain steadfast, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption through the Messiah.

Spiritual Adoption of Believers

The typology of Israel's adoption finds its fulfillment in the New Testament, where believers in Christ are spiritually adopted into God's family. The Apostle Paul draws on this imagery in Romans 9:4-5 , stating, "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen."

Through faith in Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Israel, becoming co-heirs with Christ and partakers of the promises given to God's adopted nation. This spiritual adoption is a testament to God's grace and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan for humanity.Exodus 4:22
And you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 11:1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... but the circumcision after the flesh typified that after ... And again Moses says: "And
now Israel, what doth ... and without grudging, by means of adoption, to know ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

The Consolation
... as servants, but in the temper of adoption, as the ... privileges pertaining to the people
of Israel considered as ... to Him who was represented and typified by them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... from the relation of the type to the thing typified. ... that time generally known in
the kingdom of Israel. ... and sure,"and, finally, that the adoption should not ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Difference Between the Two Testaments.
... promises, not clear and simple, but typified by earthly ... we may say that those of
ancient Israel who, with ... ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 the difference between.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." [801] We ... attributes, as the fire in
the sacrifice typified the swallowing ... or from his choice in the adoption of a ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons ... sung: "Blessed be the Lord God
of Israel, and the ... before the ark of the covenant, which typified thee, that ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... when he exhorts the people of Israel to circumcise ... in heart, thus explaining what
is typified by that ... as sons by the formal symbol of adoption, before, from ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Adoption, symbolism of, and its application to the genealogy of ... Exodus, the, of Israel
from Egypt, a type, [262 ... Jews, the, typified by Cain, [446]186-[447]188 ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... The Second is, adoption, or the conferring of gifts necessary ... Jacob, and to restore
the preserved of Israel: I have ... x, 21.) For that is properly typified by a ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... of the heathen, with a zeal worthy the adoption of all ... saying, Blessed be the Lord
God of Israel; for he ... former, Christ and his work were typified and predicted ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

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