Israel was the one nation God chose to carry His redemptive plan, prepare for the coming King, and be a channel of blessing to all nations.
From Abraham onward, God set aside all other nations and focused on Israel, making them a special people. He gave them the Law, the priesthood, and the temple to prepare them to be a kingdom of priests. Their role was to funnel salvation back to the whole world, though they ultimately rejected their King at His first coming.
Genesis 12:1-3 records God's call to Abraham and His promise to make him a great nation. God said, "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 the foundational role of Israel as a channel of blessing to all nations. Later, at Sinai, God gave Israel the Law and called them to be a kingdom of priests. Exodus 19:6 says, "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." This further defined Israel's identity and purpose.
Les explains that after the scattering at Babel, God called Abraham to be the father of a new nation—Israel. From Genesis 12 onward, the Bible focuses almost entirely on this one nation. God gave Israel the Law to prepare them to be a kingdom of priests, with temple worship and the priesthood. Their role was to be a light to the Gentiles, but they rejected that role when they crucified their Messiah. Les emphasizes that Israel's role was unique: they were to receive the covenant promises, be a vessel for God's revelation, and ultimately bring salvation to the world. God dealt with other nations only rarely during this period.
God called Abraham and promised to make a great nation from him (Clip 3). He then gave that nation the Law, the priesthood, and the temple to set them apart (Clip 1). This was a preparation process to make them a kingdom of priests (Clip 6).
Israel was meant to be a blessing to all nations, funneling the knowledge of God back to the world (Clip 4, Clip 5). They had the opportunity to evangelize the nations, but they rejected their King (Clip 5).
God turned His back on other nations and dealt primarily with Israel (Clip 1). There were exceptions, but they were rare (Clip 4). The mainstream of humanity was left to go on like a river while God pulled Israel out as a special stream (Clip 4).
Timeline Review
Les mentions he reviews the timeline, but the clip's content is introductory and does not directly add to the teaching on Israel's role.
Israel Called from Abraham
God called out a little nation from Abraham and gave them the Law, priesthood, and temple—a unique set of circumstances never before given to any other nation.
Israel Under the Law
Israel became a nation under Moses, received the Law at Sinai, and Christ's earthly ministry was confined to Israel under the Law.
The Bible Focus on Israel
From Genesis 12 onward, the Bible deals almost entirely with Israel, and God gave them the covenant promises and a specific land.
Israel as a Special Race
God pulled Israel out of the river of humanity to be a special race, with the purpose of funneling salvation back to the nations.
The Abrahamic Covenant
God called out one man, Abraham, to build a nation through whom He would take salvation to the whole world. Israel rejected that by killing their King.
Israel as Kingdom of Priests
God promised Israel they would become a kingdom of priests and prepared them under the Law, giving them temple worship and the Word of God.
Israel's Place in the Promises
Israel was in the promises given to Abraham, but God also promised to bless all nations. Israel had the opportunity to be believers but many were not.
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.
This is the foundational promise God made to Abraham, establishing Israel's role as a channel of blessing to all nations.
Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
This verse defines Israel's calling to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests, showing their special role.
Yes, God called Israel out from all other nations to be His chosen people. He gave them the Law, the priesthood, and the temple to prepare them to be a kingdom of priests and a blessing to all nations.
Israel was meant to be a channel of blessing to the Gentiles, bringing them the knowledge of God. However, they rejected their Messiah and thus did not fulfill that role at that time.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be "All Things to All Men"? — 1 Corinthians 9