God’s people (1 Pet 2:10)

“Once you were not

A people,

But now you are

God’s people.

Once you had not

Received mercy,

But now you have

Received mercy.”

οἵ ποτε οὐ λαὸς, νῦν δὲ λαὸς Θεοῦ, οἱ οὐκ ἠλεημένοι, νῦν δὲ ἐλεηθέντες.

This author said, “Once you were not a people (οἵ ποτε οὐ λαὸς), but now you are God’s people (νῦν δὲ λαὸς Θεοῦ).  Once you had not received mercy (οἱ οὐκ ἠλεημένοι), but now you have received mercy (νῦν δὲ ἐλεηθέντες).”  This author cited Hosea, chapter 2:23, “I will have pity on Lo-ruhamah.  I will say to Lo-ammi.  ‘You are my people.’  He shall say.  ‘You are my God.’”  God spoke to Hosea that he would have pity and love for Lo-ruhamah, the not pitied one.  He too would rename Lo-ammi, from not my people to you are my people.  He was going to be their God.  Thus, all would end well.  It was the same with these Jewish Christians.  At first, they were not a people, but now they are God’s people.  Once, they had no mercy, but now they do have God’s mercy.  Do you accept God’s mercy?