Israel was something holy to Jehovah, the first yield [or, firstfruits] to Him.’ ‘Any persons devouring him would make themselves guilty. Calamity itself would come upon them,’ was the utterance of Jehovah.”​—Jer. 2:2, 3.

Jehovah God viewed the whole nation as holy. Israel was as sacred as the “first yield” of the harvest that was presented at the sanctuary of worship. (Ex. 22:29; 23:19)

That love was not misdirected, as the Almighty protected his people. When, for example, the Amalekites launched an unprovoked attack against Israel, Jehovah delivered them. He enabled an inexperienced Israelite army, under the command of Joshua, to administer a crushing defeat to the Amalekites. (Ex. 17:8-13;