What is the purpose of God's dealings with Israel in the Old Testament?
God's dealings with Israel in the Old Testament served to bring the Abrahamic covenant to fruition: forming a unique, separated nation of people, giving them a promised geographical land, and progressively revealing the implicit government within that covenant, so Israel would be different from all other nations.
Les teaches that God's dealings with Israel in the Old Testament were designed to bring the Abrahamic covenant to fruition. This covenant was a progressive revelation containing the promise of a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and an implicit government. Through the Old Testament, God would make Israel a unique, separated nation different from all other nations, and He would put them in a promised land. Les also points to exceptions like Nineveh and Naaman, showing that a sovereign God can make exceptions, but the primary purpose remained the covenant. In chapter 15, God would formally deed that land to Abram according to the Oriental custom.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
More Questions
Why does God's Old Testament dealing with Israel keep moving toward covenant fulfillment?
Because God's promises are sure, God's Old Testament dealings with Israel are all intended to bring the Abrahamic covenant to fulfillment, making Israel a unique and separated nation.