it. Divine election involves an eternal choice, worked out originally in his choice of Abraham (Gen 12:1–3, whom God blessed to be a source of blessing to the nations) and of Israel (Deut 14:2, to be God’s “treasured possession”). That choice was based not on Israel’s worthiness or strength or place among the other nations but entirely on God’s love for them. Throughout Ephesians the emphasis is on divine love and not human worth. God’s electing mercy and grace are unmerited and undeserved (Rom 9:11–12;