The repetition of this phrase gives emphasis to the fact that the selection of the children of Israel to be the people of God in a peculiar sense, was a divine act of sovereignty in no way merited by the people themselves. They have nothing to be proud of. Man is the clay. God is the artist. There is, perhaps, no truth more difficult to accept than that. And yet, there is no other way than perfect surrender to the Lord, that leads to eternal life and glory.