Yes, Israel was intended to be God's servant, restoring the tribes of Jacob and serving as a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth.
According to Isaiah 49:6, God declared it 'a light thing' for Israel to merely restore the tribes of Jacob; He also gave them as 'a light to the Gentiles' to be His salvation 'to the end of the earth.' Les Feldick emphasizes that this was Israel's role as a kingdom of priests, serving as go-betweens to bring salvation to the Gentile world.
Isaiah 49:6 — This verse directly states Israel's dual role: restoring the tribes of Jacob and being a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth.
In Isaiah 49:5-6, God addresses His servant, formed from the womb to bring Jacob back to Him and restore Israel. But God says, '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.' This indicates that Israel's role was not only internal restoration but also to be a light and salvation to the Gentile world.
Les Feldick teaches that from the Old Testament onward, God intended Israel to be a nation of priests, serving as go-betweens between God and the Gentiles. He points to Isaiah 49:6 as clear evidence that God's plan was for Israel to bring salvation to the Gentiles, not just to restore their own tribes. He emphasizes that this was a valid offer, though Israel failed to fulfill it, and that even in the New Testament, Israel lost sight of this calling.
In Isaiah 49, God speaks of His servant formed from the womb to bring Jacob back to Him and restore Israel. This servant is to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel, indicating a role of leadership and restoration for the nation.
Les Feldick explains that Israel was supposed to be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to the ends of the earth, but they failed. He notes that by the time of Christ and the apostles, Israel had lost sight of this calling, and even Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh illustrates their resistance to God's concern for Gentiles.
Why Did Jesus Only Go to Israel? Matthew 10:5-6 Explained
Now the resurrection of the just as we've been showing is seemingly in three parts, three categories. Those that were resurrected at Christ's time, and when He was the first fruits, and those that came out of the graves after He did, comprise the first fruit, which was the first part of the Jewish harvest, when they would go in and take the sampling out of their grain field.
Isaiah 49:6 Explained
Les teaches that Isaiah 49:6 shows God's plan for Israel to be a light to the Gentiles, not just restore Jacob's tribes.
Why Peter Preached to "Ye Men of Israel" (Acts 2 & 3 Explained)
Normally, you know, a king should come in back in the ancients riding a prancing white steed. And here he comes in on a donkey, and it just threw the curve at him. And so they rejected him, and they continued to reject him until, of course, God raised up the apostle Paul. All right.
Israel as Light to Gentiles
Les emphasizes that Israel was to be a go-between, bringing salvation to pagan Gentiles, as stated in Isaiah 49:6.
Plain Meaning of Isaiah 49:6-7
Les points out the plain meaning of Isaiah 49:6-7: God's intention for Israel to be a light to the Gentiles and His salvation to the end of the earth.
Context of Isaiah 49
Les reads Isaiah 49:5, noting the servant's role to bring Jacob again to God, showing the context of Israel's intended purpose.
Israel as Chosen Instrument
Les explains that God planned to deal with the Gentiles through Israel, making them the ones to take salvation to the Gentiles.
Israel's Opportunity to Evangelize
Les clarifies that Israel could have evangelized the Gentiles and brought them to a knowledge of Jehovah, as God had the whole program laid out.
Isaiah 49:6: 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.
This verse directly states Israel's intended role as a light to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:1: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Earlier in Isaiah, God speaks of His servant bringing judgment (rule) to the Gentiles, showing the same theme.
Isaiah 49:5: And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
This verse introduces the servant's role in restoring Jacob, setting the context for the next verse.
In Isaiah 49:6, God says He will give Israel as a light to the Gentiles, meaning they were to bring knowledge of God and salvation to non-Jewish nations. This was part of their role as a kingdom of priests.
No. Les Feldick explains that Israel failed to fulfill this role, as seen in their rejection of Christ and their reluctance to evangelize Gentiles, like Jonah's attitude toward Nineveh.
It means God's servant would restore the believing remnant of Israel and the nation as a whole, but this was considered a 'light thing' compared to being a light to the Gentiles.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Jesus Only Go to Israel? Matthew 10:5-6 Explained