God is in Control

God is active in the history and the events of our national and individual lives. The prophet Daniel stated by divine revelation that it is God who changes times and seasons- he removes kings, and sets up kings. . . ( Dan. 2:20,21) And He has been active in the national and individual life of the people he chose: the Israelites. His involvement with them has not ended, even up to this very day( Ps. 147:19,20).
Acts 13:16-41, is a masterful summary by Paul of this thesis, as it outlines Gods' every interaction with his people unto Christ, and the salvation he opened to them and all who will believe through him.
In these verses we read that God chose Israel to be his people. He selected them out of all the nations on earth because he loved their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their children after them(Deut. 7:7,8,9). It was he who entered the kingdom of Egypt  and overthrew it when they enslaved and oppressed Israel. He intervened with mighty signs and wonders to free them from bondage. He guided them on their journey to the promised land. And after the death of their leaders Moses and Joshua, God established judges to govern and protect them. He ordained prophets and kings for them. And out of Israel he chose David the son of Jesse to be his beloved and king over all Israel forever through the promised Messiah. God made a covenant with David that through his bloodline he would cause Christ to be born. It is Christ whom God selected to be the savior of Israel and all who will believe on him through Christ.
Gods' focus always begins with his people Israel first, because he has chosen them to be his witnesses. No other nation can take this upon themselves to be his witnesses.  No one can select to be his people, that honor is given to the descendants of the Israelites down to this very day by Gods' election. Hence, in the book of Revelation chapter seven and fourteen, we read of the 144,000 men of Israel, whom God has chosen to be prophets and leaders under Christ to preach the final gospel in the last days( history starts with Israel and ends with Israel). God is forever involved in the life of his people and the events on earth.
To prove this point further Acts 13 states, that the ministry of John the Baptist before the coming of Christ was to the Israelites. He urged them to repent of their sins and prepare for the coming Messiah. And at the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, the focus of God did not change towards his people. Christs' ministry at that time was to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt. 15:24, Rom. 15:8, Rom. 9:1-5). To those among the people who feared or honored God-to them was Christ sent by God to give them salvation form the coming wrath because of sin.
God is even active in the lives of those who don't fear him and reject him and Christ. Because he created them to fulfill his prophecy, which stated that only a remnant of Israel would return to God and be saved. The rest would hear the truth, but not understand. They would see the power of God, yet not perceive it. Because their hearts were harden and their eyes were blinded. Instead of turning to God, they run after their own lust and wickedness(  Rom. 9:6-13, Rom. 11:7,8, Matt. 13:14-16, 2 Thess. 2:11,12,13-14).
It was this element in Israel, not the remnant, that executed Christ. They did not truly know God or Christ, even though many of them had diligently studied the scriptures. However, deep in their hearts they were bent on pursing their own desires and not Gods'. Therefore, they were blinded and so the scriptures were fulfilled in them. And not only this, God more willing to show his great power resurrected the slain Christ; restoring him back to life forever, three days after his execution. To demonstrate to all mankind that light is greater than darkness, that evil cannot overcome good, and that the truth always prevails. Therefore, by Christ, God made a way for his people to be saved and recover themselves from the power of sin.
God does all these things in the events and history of nations and men, starting with his people Israel to demonstrate to all humanity that He alone is God and all powerful( Is. 43:9,10,11,12). To the end that his remnant, whom he has chosen, may put their hope in him and  draw closer to him(2 Cor.4:15, 2 Tim.2:10).

Shalam,
Zarch