Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Bible References

Were

Hosea 1:9
And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-Ammi (not my people), for you are not My people and I am not your God.”
Romans 9:25
Just as He says in [the writings of the prophet] Hosea:

I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’
And [I will call] her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”

Obtained

Hosea 2:23

“I will sow her for Myself in the land.
I will also have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
And I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people,’
And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”
Romans 11:6
But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning the virgins [of marriageable age] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
1 Timothy 1:13
even though I was formerly a blasphemer [of our Lord] and a persecutor [of His church] and a shameful and outrageous and violent aggressor [toward believers]. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.
Hebrews 4:16
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

General references

Leviticus 14:14
The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
Numbers 15:41
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.”
Psalm 118:2

Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Isaiah 32:16

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
And righteousness will live in the fertile field.
Romans 9:16
So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift].