I’ll split this into Old Testament (foreshadowing) and New Testament (fulfillment) , so you can see the continuity. Old Testament — Israel as the Faithful, Not Just the Ethnic Nation Even in the Old Testament, “Israel” often meant the faithful remnant rather than every descendant of Jacob. Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (True covenant membership was about heart obedience.) 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal. (God counted only the faithful as truly His people.) Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. (“Israel” here is defined spiritually, not geographically.) Isaiah 10:20–22 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob to the Mighty God. (The prophets saw a “remnant” — not the whole nation — as God’s true Israel.) Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts… (Phy...