What is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament regarding Jew and Gentile inclusion?
In the Old Testament, inclusion was Jew only with a few Gentile exceptions; in the New Testament, it is inverted—practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions. Gentiles once were aliens from Israel’s covenants, without hope, but in Christ Jesus are made nigh by the blood of Christ, not by coming under Judaism.
Les explains that Gentile forefathers were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in this world (s324–s329). But now in Christ Jesus, those once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ—not by coming into a covenant relationship or under Judaism (s332–s339). He says the whole thing has been totally inverted: whereas the Old Testament was Jew only with a few Gentile exceptions, now it is practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions (s341–s345). Les also notes Isaiah’s bold statement that God was found of Gentiles who sought Him not, and Paul was sent to those same people (s350–s363). This fulfills the rule that no one, beginning with Adam and Eve, ever seeks God (s364–s366).