For what purpose were the "Chosen People" chosen? I have a good friend who is Jewish, and he often refers to being one of the "Chosen People".  I understand that God "chose" Abraham and his descendants.

With a New Testament perspective, as the answer to this question indicates, Christians are "chosen people" as well.

However, for what specific purpose were Abraham and his descendants chosen?  Being chosen seems to have no meaning unless we know the reason and purpose for which they were chosen.

So, that's my question.
From Scripture, they are chosen to do a number of things, for several reasons, all of which serve God's purpose.


They were chosen to produce the Messiah.
They were chosen to demonstrate God's power, as demonstrated in his dealings with Egypt, and throughout Scripture.
They were chosen to record Scripture
They were chosen to be the example, to teach us about God's nature.  We learn almost everything we know about God through His dealings with His chosen people

His attributes and nature
His attitude toward sin
We learn that he blesses those who love and obey Him, and judges those who rebel, and grants forgiveness when His people repent,  as seen throughout the history books. (Kings, judges



I'm sure the list could go on and on.