During the 2000 years before Christ, did God deal only with the Jews?
No. During the 2000 years before Christ, God dealt predominantly with Israel—Jew only—with notable Gentile exceptions. Those exceptions included Nineveh, Rahab, Ruth, and the Syrian general Naaman. During Christ’s earthly ministry, the Canaanite woman and the Roman Centurion were the only two Gentiles He dealt with; otherwise, God dealt with Israel.
Les explains that all during this 2000-year period God was dealing predominantly “Jew only,” with exceptions. He lists Nineveh, Rahab, Ruth, and the Syrian General Naaman as examples. When you come into Christ’s earthly ministry, the exceptions were the Canaanite woman and the Roman Centurion; those are the only two He dealt with in His earthly ministry. Otherwise, it was all God dealing with the nation of Israel. Les then connects this to Israel’s rejection and crucifixion, after which comes an undetermined period, then the seven years of tribulation, and then the King’s return so Israel could have the Kingdom. The Church, the Age of Grace, is missing from the Old Testament picture because it was a secret held in the mind of God until He revealed it.