God desires to bless the nations (universality), but he works through an elect people (particularity) to accomplish this mission.8 Scholars have described this as a tension, even a perceived conflict. While such may be the case, an unhealthy tension does not exist. Both are necessary for the mission of God in the world. The Bible begins with God blessing the many represented by the first family of all of creation. Soon the effects of the fall and the multiplication
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