Who was supposed to be the light of the world according to the Old Testament promises?
According to the Old Testament promises, Israel—the Jew—was supposed to be the light of the world. But Israel rejected that opportunity. By application, believers today are the light of the world, since the same illustration Jesus gave to the twelve is applied to them.
Les explains that all things written before Paul wrote—including the Old Testament and the Gospels—are for the believer’s learning, though the Gospels do not contain Church doctrine. He notes that when Jesus spoke to the twelve by the northern shores of Galilee, He used a city on a hill as an illustration and said, “You are the light of the world.” The Old Testament promises designated Israel, the Jew, to be that light, but Israel rejected the opportunity of becoming the light of the world. Therefore, by application, believers today are the light of the world, and the same application can still be made.
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
More Questions
In Isaiah 49:6, who is the servant given to as a light?
In Isaiah 49:6, God says he will make his servant 'a light to the Gentiles' so that the servant brings God's salvation to the end of the earth.