GEN705 (Continued from [[LEV1103]] Leviticus 25:55 servants COHON 131-2). The idea of Divine sonship derives from the sense of identity with the higher order. To be a son of God is not the prerogative of one favored individual --as is claimed by Christianity for its founder—but of every God–conscious being. In the words of R. Akiba: “Beloved is man, for he was created in the image of God; by special love it was made known to him that he was created in the image of God, as it is said, ‘for in the image of God made He man’ [this verse].  Beloved are Israel in that they were called children of God; by a special love it was made known to them that they were called children of God, as it is said, ‘Ye are children of the Lord your God’” Avot 3:18; Deuteronomy 14:1.  As sons and servants of God, the Jewish people are called upon to act as God’s witnesses (Isaiah 43:10 – 12). This privilege is not limited to Israel. All men shall ultimately testify to Him (Isaiah 45:23). This is the substance of the belief of the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The consciousness of Divine sonship is coupled with the sense of human brotherhood as motive powers of moral conduct. The two… are inseparable in Jewish thought.  COHON 132