And My tabernacle shall be among them. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. (Ez 37:27)
וְהָיָ֤ה מִשְׁכָּנִי֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָהֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וְהֵ֖מָּה יִֽהְיוּ־לִ֥י לְעָֽם׃
Et erit tabernaculum meum in eis: et ero eis Deus, et ipsi erunt mihi populus.
καὶ ἔσται ἡ κατασκήνωσίς μου ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς θεός, καὶ αὐτοί μου ἔσονται λαός.
The phrase “My people” or “people of God” always emphasizes a special relationship. It was God who chose Israel as His people, as Ezekiel speaks in his prophecy to the nations neighbouring the people of God. People who do not come from Jewish backgrounds but believe in the Messiah, in Jesus Christ, are considered the people of God. Jesus came to all people, not only to save Israel. It is the readiness to devote oneself to God that determines belonging to the people of God. Everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord becomes part of the people of God. It is a free choice to follow God. Therefore, a choice must be made. When we make the decision to cling to God, He also surrounds us with His love and guides us. And then we truly become the people of God.
