Was God's grace given through the nation of Israel or in Christ Jesus?
God's grace was given in Christ Jesus, not through the nation of Israel. Scripture says it was according to His own purpose, not our works, and was granted in Christ before the world began. Although God made a valid offer to Israel, the eternal purpose of grace is found in Christ Jesus.
Les explains from II Timothy 1 that God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us, not through the nation of Israel, but in Christ Jesus from before the foundations of the world, before the world began. Les calls that His eternal purpose. He also notes that God made a valid offer to the nation of Israel; at Kadesh Barnea they could have entered the promised land, and God would drive out the Canaanites. Israel did not do it, but the offer was genuine. God knew they would not, and the 40-year wilderness was in the divine plan, yet the grace in view is in Christ Jesus.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
More Questions
When was God's grace given to us in Christ Jesus?
The grace by which God called us was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.