Yes, the Abrahamic covenant directly establishes Israel's role and anticipates the Messiah's coming.
The covenant promised Abraham a nation, a land, and a government – with God Himself to be their King. This King is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Les Feldick teaches that Israel's role as light of the world and salt of the earth was tied to the Messiah's coming and the spread of God's message to all nations.
Genesis 12:1-3 — The foundational promise to Abraham of a nation, land, and blessing for all peoples.
Isaiah 60:1-3 — Calls Israel to arise and shine, pointing to the light of the world – the Messiah.
The Bible records God's covenant with Abraham, promising a nation, a land, and a government. In Genesis 12, God says, "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." This establishes Israel as a distinct people. The promise of a land and a government is reiterated, as seen in the connection between a nation, its land, and its king. The coming of the Messiah is foreshadowed in passages like Isaiah 60, which instruct Israel, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." The Bible presents the Messiah as both a King and a suffering Redeemer, fulfilling the need for a ruler and a sacrifice for sin. The covenant with Israel, promises, and the Messiah's role are intertwined in the biblical narrative.
Les Feldick teaches that the Abrahamic covenant is the foundational promise containing three basic premises: God would (1) make Abraham into a great nation, (2) give that nation a specific land, and (3) be their king/government. This third premise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who is called the King of Israel. All other covenants, such as the Mosaic and Davidic, are encompassed within this one. Israel's intended role was to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, as Jesus stated during His earthly ministry. This role was connected to the Messiah's coming, who would be the light. Les notes that while applications can be made today, these words were originally spoken to Israel. He emphasizes that the Messiah came first to the Jews as promised, to be their King and Redeemer, but also to address the sin problem, which the Jews of Jesus' day rejected.
Les Feldick explains the covenant had three promises: a nation of people, a land to live in, and a government led by God Himself. Clips [1][2][3][4][5][6] each describe these three parts. Clip 5 states, "you cannot have a nation of people unless they have what? They've got to have land to live in... Now you put people within a geographical area, what do they have to have? They've got to have government."
Les teaches that the coming of God as King in the person of the Messiah fulfills the third part of the Abrahamic covenant (clips [1][3][6]). He states in Clip 1, "one day God Himself would become their King in the person of the Messiah, the Christ." In Clip 3, he notes the parallel lines of prophecy: a coming King and kingdom, and also a suffering Savior to deal with sin. The Messiah thus came as both King and Redeemer.
Les explains that Israel was to be the light of the world and salt of the earth, as Jesus said to them (clip 0). Clip 0 says, "What did Jesus say to the Jews in His earthly ministry? You are the light of the world." and that was their role. Clip 7 ties this to Isaiah 60: "'Arise and shine, for thy light is come.' What did Jesus tell the nation of Israel... I am the light of the world." This role was related to the Messiah being the light.
Les notes that Israel rejected their King, culminating in crucifying the Messiah and rejecting the offer after Peter's sermon (clips [2][3]). Clip 2 says, "He came unto His own, and when they had their final opportunity to yet repent of the horrible deed of crucifying their Messiah, and they rejected it." Clip 3 explains the problem: they wanted a King to overthrow Rome but did not want to deal with the sin problem.
Israel's Role as Light and Salt
Les teaches that Jesus called the Jews the light of the world and salt of the earth, indicating their intended role, and that this still has application for believers today.
Three Promises of the Covenant
Les explains that the covenant promised a nation, a land, and a King in the person of the Messiah, making Jesus the King of Israel.
Messiah's Coming to Israel
Les teaches that God promised to send His Son as Messiah, King, and Redeemer to Israel, but they rejected Him, leading to the message going to the Gentiles.
Messiah as Suffering King
Les highlights that Israel wanted a conquering King but rejected the suffering Redeemer, so the covenant's promise was tied to both King and Redeemer.
Purpose of Abraham's Descendants
Les explains that the covenant's purpose was to preserve Israel to declare God's name to the world, and that the Old Testament is written in future tense.
Necessity of Land and Government
Les teaches that a nation requires land and government, hence the three parts of the covenant are logically connected.
God's Plan Through Israel
Les explains that God's plan was to bring redemption through Israel, and that the covenant included God becoming their King.
Israel's Light Fulfilled in Christ
Les connects Isaiah's prophecy to Jesus' teaching, showing that He is the light of the world, fulfilling the covenant.
Genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 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: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The foundational promise of the covenant.
Isaiah 60:1: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Prophecy pointing to Israel's role as light, fulfilled in the Messiah.
Matthew 5:14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Jesus' words to Israel confirming their role.
John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus identifying Himself as the light that Israel was to carry.
Les teaches that the covenant promised (1) a nation of descendants, (2) a specific geographical land, and (3) a government where God Himself would reign as King through the Messiah.
Les says the Messiah is the fulfillment of the covenant's third promise – God coming to be King. Jesus' title as King of Israel stems from this covenant.
Les indicates it was their role, but they failed. He notes that these words to the Jews were originally to Israel, and while there is application for believers today, its primary reference is to Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Why Peter Said "Whom You Crucified" — Acts 3 & 4 Explained