Why did Israel have to stay separated from the Gentiles?
God had mandated that Israel remain a separated people from the Gentiles. Their separation was not caused by bigotry or pride; it was God's requirement. When Israel lost that separated character, such as through Moabite seduction in Balaam's scheme, God's judgment fell and thousands died.
Les explains that Israel’s separation was not because the Jew had become bigoted or proud. God had mandated that they stay separated from the Gentiles. As long as Israel had knowledge of God and His word, they were a separated people; as soon as they lost that separation, God’s judgment fell. He points to Balaam the false prophet. Balak, king of Moab, brought him to curse Israel because he could not defeat them militarily, but God would not let him curse them. Balaam then had a satanically inspired thought: the Moabites should put their prettiest girls where Jewish young men could be seduced. It worked, and God let judgment fall; 23,000 Jews had to be put to death because they had lost their separated character. Les also brings in Paul in Acts 22:21, where the Lord Jesus said, “Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” The Jewish multitude listened until that word “Gentile,” and it caused a riot.
Why were the Jews separated from the Gentiles in the Old Testament?
God had mandated that Israel remain a separated people from the Gentiles, not because the Jews were bigoted or proud. That separation was required whenever they had knowledge of God and His word, and when they lost it, God's judgment fell, as in the Balaam incident.
Was Israel's separation from Gentiles due to bigotry or God's command?
Israel’s separation from Gentiles was not caused by bigotry or pride; it was mandated by God. Scripture shows that whenever Israel maintained its separated character, it remained distinct, and when it lost that separation, God’s judgment fell. The separation was therefore a divine command, not ethnic arrogance.