VBM Who is Worthy of Being Chosen? By Rav Yoel Bin-Nun
The idea of selection, ever since Avraham, is connected to the idea of commandment (and the Torah) and keeping the way of God: "For I have known [= selected] him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice" (Bereishit 18:19). But the commander here is not God, but Avraham.[1] Thus, the first source of authority in Israel is autonomous, and not heteronomous. This stands in sharp contrast to the prophecy of Moshe, where the commander is God: "And the Lord spoke to Moshe, saying." No such expression is used in connection with the patriarchs. God selected the patriarchs, and they command.
The idea of selection, ever since Avraham, is connected to the idea of commandment (and the Torah) and keeping the way of God: "For I have known [= selected] him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice" (Bereishit 18:19). But the commander here is not God, but Avraham.[1] Thus, the first source of authority in Israel is autonomous, and not heteronomous. This stands in sharp contrast to the prophecy of Moshe, where the commander is God: "And the Lord spoke to Moshe, saying." No such expression is used in connection with the patriarchs. God selected the patriarchs, and they command.
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