Called Into His Light

1 Pet. 2:9-10
"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."

Peter is quoting from Ex. 19:4-6 and applying the promises of Israel to new believers. God reached in and pulled us out of the darkness like He bore the Jews on eagle wings in Ex. 19.

What is our purpose now? That we may proclaim His excellencies to other people.

We were once not a people, we weren't Jews, but now we are as special as the Jews, we are now the chosen people. Now I belong to something, I belong to the church, and I now care about other believers.

Controversial question: (not from devotions) Did we "replace" the Jewish nation? I think not. What do you think and why? I answer from Rom. 11.