Where were the Gentiles while God was dealing with Israel from Genesis 12 to Acts 9?
While God dealt with Israel on the basis of the covenants from Genesis 12 until Acts 9, the Gentiles were outside. Paul wrote that they were not in the covenant promises and not citizens of the nation of Israel, so they stood outside Israel’s covenant dealings.
Les explains that while God was dealing with Israel on the basis of the covenants from Genesis 12 until Acts 9, the Gentile was outside. Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, wrote that Gentiles were not in the covenant promises and were not citizens of the nation of Israel. That is why Jesus did not take these Greeks, because He could not be the object of their faith until He had died the death of the cross, been buried, and risen from the dead. Les also illustrates this same truth with Jonah, who was told to go to Gentile Nineveh but did not want to go, much like Peter in Acts chapter 10 when the Lord told him to go to Cornelius.
More Questions
When did Acts chapter 9 take place in God's timeline with Israel?
It was only when it became evident that Israel was not going to accept their Messiah that Acts chapter 9 took place in God's operation.
When did God begin a different program that included Gentiles?
From Abraham in Genesis 12 until Acts 9, God's program was 'Jew only' with a few exceptions, and then in Acts chapter 9 God began to do something different.