To address the question above let’s consider what is in a name. We will begin by visiting the Old Testament.
The nation of Israel was GOD’S chosen people in the Old Testament. With the name of Israel, this nation literally wore the name of GOD. The name Israel ended in EL. In the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, the word for GOD is the Hebrew word ELOHIM. This word is the plural of ELOAH, which is an elongated form of the word, EL. It is an interesting fact, that by using the plural form of the word, the plurality of the Godhead, is found in the very first verse of the Scriptures.
For our consideration today, we note the singular form, EL (it is pronounced ale). It is first found in Genesis 14:18, translated as the Most High GOD.
The name of Israel was given to Jacob in Genesis 32:28. The Hebrew word for Israel means GOD prevails. The name, Israel, ends in EL and like so many names in the OT, contained the Hebrew word for GOD. To note just a few names along with their meaning: Daniel, GOD is my strength; Ezekiel, GOD’S strength; Samuel, GOD heard; Samuel’s father is an example of the el at the beginning, Elkanah, GOD has purchased; Elijah, my GOD is Jehovah. Incidentally, the name Elijah contains two references to GOD, (the jah at the end comes from Yahweh, or Jehovah).
Thus, what is in a name? In the case of the children of Israel, a lot is in the name. As the Israelites, the children of Israel wore the name of GOD.
One might ask, why aren’t GOD’S children still called the nation of Israel or Israelites? Why doesn’t the children of GOD wear His Name today? Although physically, we are not Israelites, we actually do wear the name of GOD today.
We should first note that we live under a different covenant today. This explains the division between the Old Testament and the New Testament. We live under the New Covenant. This new covenant was prophesied throughout the Old Testament.
In Isaiah 62:2, we have the following prophecy relative to the new covenant. “You shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will name.” Hold your place here with your marker and go to a passage in the New Testament.
In Acts 11:26, we see the fulfillment of this prophecy. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. The phrase “were called” comes from the Greek word, chrematidzo, meaning “divinely called.” This is a clear reference back to the prophecy in Isaiah 62, (from the mouth of the LORD). If you choose to mark in your Bibles, make a reference back to Isaiah 62:2.
And thus, we too wear the name of GOD. We are Christians! We belong to Christ! By wearing the name Christian, we wear the Divine Name just as the Israelites of the Old Testament.
GOD’S chosen people in the Old Testament was the nation of Israel. HIS chosen people today are Christians. 1 Pet 2:9…you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…
Is the USA GOD’S chosen people today? The USA is NOT GOD’S chosen nation today. That doesn’t mean HE hasn’t blessed this country. The United States exists today because of His Providential care. But we are not the nation of GOD in the same sense the nation of Israel was in the Old Testament.
Although the USA is not the nation of GOD, the USA is made up of multitudes of His people, referring to the Christians who live here. The United States is a Christian nation. It was founded upon Christian values. The nation will exist so long as GOD desires and it fits into His Master plan.
As the Lee Greenwood song proclaims, I am proud to be an American. I am patriotic to the bone. But I share Paul’s sentiments coming from Philippians 3:20. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.