How did God plan to reach the Gentiles through Israel in the Old Testament?
God’s plan was to reach the Gentiles through His covenant people Israel. Israel was to carry His light and salvation to the nations, as Isaiah 42 and 49 indicate. The Servant, the Messiah, would bring forth judgment or rule to the Gentiles and be a light to the ends of the earth.
Les explains that throughout the Old Testament, God was planning to deal with the Gentiles through this covenant people. Israel was to be the one that would take salvation to the Gentiles, even though the nations stumble over Israel and Jerusalem until Christ comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. In Isaiah 42, God speaks of His singular Servant, the Christ, the Messiah, who will bring forth judgment or rule to the Gentiles. Then Isaiah 49:6 says it was a light thing for the Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel; God would also give Him as a light to the Gentiles, so that His salvation would go to the end of the earth.