Israel at first did not appreciate its distinctiveness. It wanted to be like the rest which, led to apostasy and its downfall. After the Captivity, Israel became exclusive and went to the other extreme. Such aloofness dampened missionary enthusiasm, foiling God's attempt to fulfill His plan through a specific nation. In order for His message to attain a universal form, He took another approach. God would use people from all over the world and establish a church instead of a nation. There would still be a specific group doing His will, but it would be better able to reach the world since the members of the church would consist of people all over the world. (Sakae Kubo, The God of Relationships, p.131)