What role was God preparing the nation of Israel for?
God was preparing Israel to serve as a nation of priests through whom He would reach the Gentiles. When the appropriate time came, every Jew would have been a priest of God, bringing Gentiles to a knowledge of Him. This Old Testament format shows God's plan to reach Gentiles through Israel.
Les teaches that this was the role God was preparing the nation of Israel for under the Old Testament format. Israel was to be the conduit through whom God would reach the Gentiles. When the appropriate time came, every Jew would have been a priest of God to bring Gentiles to a knowledge of Him. The context pictures Gentiles taking hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, "We will go with you," because they have heard that God is with you. So God reveals that His way to reach the Gentiles is through Israel.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
More Questions
What could Israel have been in order to bring Gentile nations to know God?
Israel's prospect was to be priests and a holy nation in order to bring all Gentile nations to a knowledge of God.
How was God going to reach the Gentiles, and what did Israel do with that role?
God's plan was to reach the Gentiles through Israel, but Israel rejected that role and said thanks but no thanks.