Israel's role was to be God's covenant people, the core of His dealings, through whom He would bring salvation to the Gentile nations.
According to Les Feldick's teaching, Israel stood at the center of God's plan, with all nations' boundaries set in relation to Israel (Deuteronomy 32:8). God's intention was that Israel, as His servant, would not only restore the tribes of Jacob but also be a light to the Gentiles, bringing His salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).
Deuteronomy 32:8 — Shows Israel as the core of God's dealings with the nations.
Isaiah 49:6 — Explicitly states Israel's role as a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the earth.
Isaiah 42:6 — God's servant is given as a light to the Gentiles, indicating Israel's purpose to bring salvation to them.
Deuteronomy 32:8 indicates that when the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. This shows Israel's central place among the nations. Isaiah 49:6 states that God's servant would raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel, and also be given for a light to the Gentiles, that He might be God's salvation unto the end of the earth. Isaiah 42:6 similarly speaks of the servant as a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel was the core of God's plan, with all other nations set in relation to them. God's purpose was to deal with the Gentiles through Israel, who were to be a light to the nations, bringing them the knowledge of Jehovah. This was the whole idea of Israel's priesthood, that they could bring salvation to the pagan Gentiles. However, due to Israel's rejection, God turned to the Gentiles directly through a mystery revealed to Paul.
Les Feldick points to Deuteronomy 32:8, where God set the boundaries of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, indicating that Israel was at the very core of the whole human experience, God's covenant people. Everything else was to fall into place around them.
Isaiah 49:6 speaks of Israel being given as a light to the Gentiles, to be God's salvation to the end of the earth. Les emphasizes that this was Israel's role, to bring salvation to the Gentile world, and that this was the whole idea of the priesthood of Israel.
Yes, Les explains that even while God was dealing with Israel, He still had the Gentiles in the picture. God's plan was to go to the Gentile world through Israel, but because of Israel's rejection, God turned to the Gentiles directly, which was a mystery kept secret in His mind.
Israel at the Core
Les uses Deuteronomy 32:8 to show that God set the boundaries of all nations according to the number of Israel, making Israel the core of God's plan for humanity.
Light to the Gentiles
Les explains Isaiah 49:6, showing that God's servant would not only restore Israel but also be a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth.
Israel's Role Clarified
Les emphasizes that Israel was to be the light of the Gentiles, and that this was Israel's role, even though God was primarily dealing with Israel at that time.
Nation of Priests
Les points to Isaiah 42 to show that Israel's prospect was to be a nation of priests, bringing salvation and knowledge of God to the Gentile world.
God's Plan for Gentiles
Les explains that God had the whole program laid out that Israel could have evangelized the Gentiles, but they failed, so God turned to the Gentiles directly.
Israel's Opportunity
Les notes that Israel had the opportunity to bring salvation to the Gentiles, but they rejected it, leading to their dispersion.
Priesthood of Israel
Les reiterates that Israel's role was to bring salvation to the pagan Gentiles, being the go-between, but they failed.
Turn to the Gentiles
Les explains that when Israel rejected everything, God turned to the Gentiles without Israel, which was a secret kept in His mind, but the original plan was to go through Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:8: When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
This verse shows God's plan for the nations was aligned with Israel's position, indicating Israel's central role.
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.
God's servant is not only for Israel's restoration but also to bring salvation to the Gentiles, showing Israel's role.
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;
God's servant is given as a light to the Gentiles, reinforcing Israel's role in bringing salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:8 shows that God set the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the children of Israel, indicating that Israel was at the core of God's dealings with humanity.
Isaiah 49:6 and 42:6 indicate that God's servant, identified with Israel, was to be a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. This was Israel's intended role.
According to Les Feldick, because Israel rejected God's plan and constantly rejected the prophets and the Messiah, God turned to the Gentiles without Israel, a mystery revealed to Paul.
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