What did Moses prophesy about Israel's reaction to Gentiles coming to God?
Moses foretold that another nation—the Gentiles—would come into fellowship with Israel’s God, and that Israel would hate them for it. Rather than rejoicing, Israel would oppose and fight the Gentile influx, rejecting the salvation that drew Gentiles to God. This prophecy accurately described Israel’s hostile reaction.
Les explains that Paul, after describing his commission to the Gentiles, points back to Moses. Moses prophesied that another nation would come into fellowship with Israel’s God, and Israel would hate them for it. Les teaches that this is exactly what happened: when Paul used the word “Gentile,” his audience listened with rapt silence until that word, then lifted their voices, saying, “Away with such a fellow from the earth,” for it was not fit that he should live. The more the Gentiles succumbed to the Gospel, the more the Jewish people fought it, except for a few. Les also notes the same spirit continues today, as in Israel’s Law of Return, which tries to keep out Christians or even Jewish people who profess belief in Christ, because religiously they remain hidebound and see no room for a Gentile in their religion.
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.