Why are Jews the Chosen People?

During Dinner last evening with my family, the following question was brought up: Why are Jewish people the Chosen People?  Out of all of the peoples of the world, why did God choose them?

So while I haven't been able to update this blog as frequently as I would like, I decided to combine what I responded with to my family as well as incorporate it into today's SOAP.

Scripture
Deuteronomy 7:7-9

It was not because you are more numerous than all the peoples that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you; for you are really the smallest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn to your ancestors, that the Lord brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  Know, then, that the Lord, your God, is God: the faithful God who keeps covenant mercy to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and keep his commandments...

Observation
God loved them because he made a promise to Abraham and his descendents because Abraham proved his faithfulness and love of God when he was tested.  This is what setup the Jewish people to be God's chosen people.  They were chosen to be the people where the Messiah would fulfill the prophesies and bring about salvation for the not just the Jews, but the rest of the world.  They were not chosen because they were saved.  They were not chosen because they would have a fun life full of pleasures and dancing ponies.  They had it rough.  They were enslaved.  They wandered around a desert for 40 years.  They were constantly attacked.  Many Jews died.  Being the Chosen People didn't mean you were safe and they didn't have an automatic ticket to heaven.  And not only that, God placed a pretty high standard on them compared to the rest of the heathen world.

Here's a pattern that someone pointed out that I thought was interesting:
Adam: God made a marriage covenant
Noah: God established a household covenant
Abraham: God established a tribal covenant
Moses: God established a national covenant
David: God established a national kingdom covenant
Jesus: God established a universal covenant (I added this one)


Application
Everyone thinks they're special.  So when we ask the question "why are they so special?", it's a bit selfish and humbling and sort of puts us in our place before God as we then become like the smallest of people.  Then we should realize that we are indeed special because through Jesus Christ, we are all now chosen people.  All you have to do is have faith.


Prayer
Lord, thank you for your glory on Earth and in Heaven.  You fulfilled the prophesies and brought salvation to all peoples of the Earth.  I pray that I continue to strengthen my faith in you and I pray that you help me continue to strengthen the faith in my family and friends.  Help me to understand my role in life and how I can better help others come to know your Glory and Salvation.  Amen.