Israel was intended to be God's covenant people and to bring the knowledge of the true God to the Gentiles.
According to Les Feldick, God called Israel, set them apart, and made them His covenant people so that they would one day go into the Gentile world and give them the knowledge of Jehovah. This was the whole purpose of their calling, but they failed in this role due to rejection and unbelief, leading God to turn to the Gentiles directly through Paul.
Isaiah 42:6 — Isaiah 42 is cited by Les to show Israel's calling as a light to the Gentiles.
The Old Testament indicates that Israel was chosen by God to be His covenant people, distinct from the Gentile nations. Ephesians 2:12 states that before Christ, Gentiles were 'aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.' This separation was part of God's plan, but His ultimate intention was that through Israel, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Israel's role was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), reflecting God's glory to the surrounding peoples. However, the Old Testament also shows that Israel often failed in this mission, and the prophets looked forward to a time when God would also reach the Gentiles directly (e.g., Isaiah 49:6).
Les Feldick emphasizes that God's original plan was to reach the Gentile world through the nation of Israel. He points out that in the Old Testament, God dealt primarily with Israel, and Gentiles were 'aliens and strangers' to the covenants, without hope and without God. Yet, God's purpose was not to keep blessings for Israel alone but to prepare them to be a spiritual and obedient people who would bring the knowledge of the true God to the Gentiles. However, Israel rejected God's offer and their Messiah, so God set them aside and turned to the Gentiles directly through the Apostle Paul. This was a mystery kept secret in the mind of God, as Les stresses, and it opened the door for Gentiles to be grafted into the blessings of God through faith in Christ.
According to Les, during the Old Testament, Gentiles were considered outside the covenant privileges. They were called 'uncircumcision' by the Jews, and even referred to as 'dogs' (Clip 0). They had no rights in Israel's commonwealth and were without hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). There were a few exceptions, such as Jonah going to Nineveh, Rahab, and Nahum the Syrian, but generally God dealt only with His covenant people.
God's intention was that Israel, as a prepared, spiritual, and obedient people, would go into the Gentile world and bring them to a knowledge of Israel's God. This was the whole purpose of calling them out and setting them apart (Clip 4). Isaiah 42 is cited by Les to support this. However, Israel failed in this role because of unbelief and rejection, so God turned to the Gentiles without Israel.
Because Israel rejected the Old Testament promises, rejected her Messiah, and crucified Him, they opened the doors of heaven for the Gentiles. God then did something completely different, sending Paul to the pagan Gentiles, and they began to swarm to the Gospel (Clip 3). This was a mystery kept secret in God's mind, that He would turn to the Gentiles without Israel (Clip 4).
Gentiles as Outsiders
Les explains that in the Old Testament, Gentiles were considered uncircumcised and even called dogs by the Jews, having no part in Israel's covenants.
Grafting of Gentiles
Les shows that God's plan to bless all nations through Israel required setting Israel aside and grafting in the Gentiles into the place of blessing.
Israel's Rejection and Turn to Gentiles
Les explains that God's original idea was to reach the Gentile world through the covenant people Israel, but because of unbelief, He turned to the Gentiles directly.
Israel's Fall Blessed Gentiles
Les points out that Israel's rejection of her Messiah and crucifixion of Him opened the windows of heaven for the Gentiles.
Purpose of Israel's Calling
Les teaches that the whole purpose of God calling Israel was to go to the pagan, heathen Gentiles and give them the knowledge of their Jehovah God.
Why Paul Is THE Apostle to the Gentiles — Romans 1 Explained
They were directed only to the nation of Israel, and throughout His three years of earthly ministry, He Himself confined His ministry only to Israel, with two exceptions. That was the Roman centurion, and the Canaanite woman, who at first He even ignored, and the 12 said, Send her away. Why? Because she's a Gentile.
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
They are His covenant people, and they were never to intermarry with anybody but those of the nation of Israel. They were to have no real social contact with the pagan people around them. Naturally, they had to do business with them and so forth, but socially they were to remain a separated people.
God's Plan for Israel and Gentiles
Les explains that God chose Israel to bring them to the place where He could use them to go to the Gentiles, but since they failed, He went to the Gentiles without them.
Ephesians 2:11-12: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
These verses describe the former state of Gentiles as outsiders, which supports the context of Israel's separation.
Isaiah 42:6: 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;
This verse indicates Israel's role as a light to the Gentiles, aligning with Les's teaching.
Genesis 12:3: 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.
God's promise to Abraham shows that Israel was to be a channel of blessing to all nations.
According to Les Feldick, God never instructed the Jews to go out and proselyte the Gentiles. Instead, Israel was to be a separated people, and it was through their covenant relationship with God that they would eventually be used to bless the nations.
Israel rejected God's promises, her Messiah, and was unwilling to see others as worthy, so God set them aside. He then turned to the Gentiles directly through Paul, fulfilling His plan to bless all nations.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Jesus Only Go to Israel? Matthew 10:5-6 Explained