The Gospel - Part 3: God Chooses Israel-A People for the Nations
If you’re just beginning to read the Bible, Genesis 12 might seem like just another chapter. But it’s actually one of the most important turning points in Scripture—a moment where God begins to reveal His rescue plan for the world. To truly understand Genesis 12, you first need to see the backdrop of Genesis 11.
As we saw in Genesis 11, humanity united—not to worship God—but to make a name for themselves. They built a tower in Babel as a symbol of their independence from God. In response, God confused their language and scattered them across the earth. This act of judgment, however, was not the end of the story. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
Just a few verses later, we meet a man named Abram (later called Abraham), and through him, we read one of the most important promises in the entire Bible:
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV Bible)
This is huge. God is saying, “The very nations I scattered—I will bless them again. And I will do it through you, Abraham.”
This moment marks the beginning of the redemptive mission of the Bible. The nations were not forgotten or discarded. Instead, God selected one man, Abraham, to begin a new family—a family that would become the nation of Israel. And through Israel, God would bring blessing and restoration to all the families of the earth.
From this point on, Israel becomes the central instrument in God’s plan to redeem the world. They are not chosen because they are better than other nations (see Deuteronomy 7:7–8), but because God, in His grace, chose them for a unique purpose.
Fast forward to the book of Exodus. Abraham’s descendants had multiplied into a great people, but they were now enslaved in Egypt. God, remembering His covenant with Abraham, raised up Moses to deliver them. At Mount Sinai, God gave Israel both their identity and their mission:
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5–6, ESV Bible)
This was not a rejection of the other nations—it was a plan to reach them. Israel’s role was to be a priestly nation—a people who would represent God to the world. Like a priest stands between God and others to make Him known, Israel was to be a holy example, teaching the nations who the one true God is.
To fulfill this role, they had to live differently. That’s why God gave them laws, instructions, and distinct customs. Some of them may seem odd today, but they were signs of Israel’s calling to live by God’s word—even when it meant standing apart from the rest of the world. Their obedience was never meant to earn God’s love, but to reflect His character to others.
Later in the story, God reminds them through the prophet Isaiah:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6, ESV Bible)
Israel was never called to exist for themselves alone. Their calling was always for the sake of the nations.
Israel’s Role is Ongoing
Now, this is where we need to pause and address a common misunderstanding.
Many Christians today have been taught a form of replacement theology—the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. Israel’s covenant is described as everlasting (Genesis 17:7; Psalm 105:8–10). The Bible speaks of more than one “everlasting covenant”—and both the covenant with Abraham and the covenant at Sinai are described that way, though they are distinct in scope and purpose.
When God calls Israel out of Egypt and makes a covenant with them, entailing them to be a holy nation and kingdom of priests, it is referred to as the Sinai covenant. The Sinai covenant was given after God rescued Israel from Egypt. It is called everlasting because it was intended to remain in force for Israel as God’s chosen nation for all generations. It defined how Israel was to live as God’s holy people in the land, laying out His commandments, the priesthood, sacrifices, and the festivals.
The Sinai covenant is called “everlasting” (Hebrew: עוֹלָם, olam) in a few key places—though often this is in reference to specific parts of it (like the priesthood, Sabbath, or sacrificial statutes) that are integral to the covenant as a whole.
Exodus 31 calls the Sabbath a “covenant forever” and is part of the larger Sinai covenant package:
Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. (Exodus 31: 16-17)
The Levitical priesthood is a key feature of Sinai, described as perpetual/everlasting:
And you shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations. (Exodus 40:15)
Leviticus 16 calls the Day of Atonement “a statute forever”:
And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. (Leviticus 16:34)
There are several examples of the Festivals as statutes forever. Here are a few examples from Leviticus 23:
And you shall eat neither bread nor grain parched or fresh until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:14; Feast of Firstfruits)
And you shall make a proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. (Leviticus 23:21; Feast of Weeks / Pentecost)
You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. (Leviticus 23:31: Day of Atonement)
You shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. (Leviticus 23:41; Feast of Booths / Tabernacles)
Unlike the unconditional covenant with Abraham, the covenant at Sinai was conditional—filled with both blessings and curses (see Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26). If Israel obeyed, they would experience God’s favor, protection, and abundance. If they disobeyed, they would face consequences—loss of blessing, exile, and the judgment of foreign nations.
However, even when Israel broke the Sinai covenant, God’s relationship with them did not end. Why? Because His earlier promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were unconditional and unchangeable (Genesis 17:7; Psalm 105:8–10). Those promises guaranteed that Israel would remain His chosen people, inherit the land, and ultimately bless the nations through the Messiah.
The Bible describes Sinai’s elements—Sabbath, priesthood, sacrifices, and festivals—as “everlasting” because they were designed to define Israel’s life with God for all generations. The whole covenant, in that sense, carries an “everlasting” character for Israel, even though blessings or curses depend on obedience (Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26).
So when Israel was unfaithful at Sinai, God would still act for the sake of His covenant with the patriarchs. We see this pattern throughout Scripture—God disciplines His people according to Sinai’s terms, yet preserves them because of His everlasting oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Exodus 32:13; Leviticus 26:42; Deuteronomy 9:27; 2 Kings 13:23).
"And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you." (Genesis 17:7)
8 "He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant." (Psalm 105:8-10)
Israel’s role is foundational to the Gospel—not just historically, but theologically. God's faithfulness to Israel is not a side story—it is the story.
Yes, Israel has had moments of failure, just like every person and every nation. But their disobedience did not cancel God’s promises. The story of Israel is one of covenant relationship, with both blessings and consequences—but always with hope of restoration. Just as God disciplines individuals out of love, He also disciplines nations He has chosen. But He never revokes His promises.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, ESV Bible)
This was written by Paul after many in Israel had rejected Jesus—and yet Paul insists that God’s covenant with Israel still stands.
As we prepare to move into the New Testament in the next module, we must understand: Jesus did not replace Israel. Jesus embodied Israel. He came as the fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs and prophets, and as the representative King of Israel. Through Him, the mission of Israel—to bless the nations—would finally move forward with power.
Israel was chosen for a mission, not for status.
And that mission is still unfolding.
Israel’s Mission Continued into the New Testament Story
Consider what we know about Israel’s calling in the Old Testament. Now fast forward to the book of Acts in the New Testament. The Messiah—Jesus—has come from the family of Abraham. He’s died, risen from the dead, and commissioned His followers to spread the good news.
One of these followers is Paul, a Jewish teacher who starts telling people all across the Roman Empire that the God of Israel has opened the door for all nations to return to Him.
In Acts 13, Paul preaches in a Jewish synagogue. At first, people are excited. But when huge crowds—including Gentiles—come to hear the message the next week, some Jewish leaders get jealous and angry.
Paul responds by quoting Isaiah:
“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47, ESV Bible)
He’s not saying, “This is my personal mission.” He’s saying, “This has always been our mission. This is what Israel was chosen for—and now, through Jesus, that mission is coming to life.”
If you’re a new Christian, here’s the incredible truth: you’ve been invited into an ancient and beautiful story. God didn’t abandon His original plan or replace Israel with the Church. Instead, He advanced His redemptive mission through Jesus—the Jewish Messiah—who came to fulfill the promises made to Abraham. Jesus chose Jewish disciples to carry this mission forward, and through them, the message began to spread to the nations. While many Jewish leaders at the time rejected Jesus as the Messiah, thousands of Jewish men and women believed and followed Him, becoming the foundation of what we now call the early Church.
The Greek word often translated as church is ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia), which simply means “assembly” or “congregation.” In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), it’s used for the assembly of Israel (e.g., Deuteronomy 9:10; 18:16). In the New Testament, it still carries that Jewish meaning at first—referring to the community of God’s people who recognizing Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, which in the beginning was entirely Jewish.
The early Church was made up of Jewish believers, and through their faithfulness, many Gentiles began to join the movement. God’s plan to redeem the nations was no longer a distant promise—it was unfolding in real time!
Now, through faith in Jesus, you become part of the people who give their allegiance to God and His chosen Messiah, Jesus. You’re part of the global family that God promised to bless through Abraham. And like Israel, you now have a purpose: to live in a way that points others to God.
This isn’t just about going to church or learning rules. It’s about stepping into a story that’s been unfolding for thousands of years—a story of redemption, hope, and restoration for the whole world.
Is Israel Enemies of the Gospel?
When we talk about the Gospel today, we can’t ignore the topic of Israel. In fact, how we understand Israel—Abraham’s physical descendants—shapes how we interpret the entire Bible. And yet, within the modern Church, there’s a lot of confusion and disagreement about Israel’s place in God’s plan, especially in light of Jesus. How does Israel fit into the story of the Gospel?
It’s true that many Jewish people today do not believe Jesus is the Messiah. But it’s also important to recognize that more have come to faith in Him than we often realize—despite centuries of persecution and anti-Jewish rhetoric that sadly took root in Church history after the Gentile separation from Jewish roots of the faith. That history matters, and it has left behind a painful legacy that we can’t ignore. The modern Church is still wrestling with that tension.
This isn’t just a side issue—it’s foundational. How you view God’s ongoing relationship with Israel will deeply influence your theology. In fact, it’s one of the core pillars that supports your understanding of Scripture, salvation, and even your role as a disciple of Jesus. If our view of Israel is off, our theology will be off too. We’ll end up misreading the Bible, misunderstanding God’s character, and misdirecting our calling as the people of God.
At worst, a distorted view leads the Church into ineffectiveness and causes followers of Jesus to be misaligned with what God is actually doing in the world.
So what is God doing?
From the beginning, God chose Israel to be a people set apart—“a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Their calling wasn’t about privilege but purpose. They were chosen to represent God to the nations and to demonstrate what it looks like to live in covenant with Him. Their role was unique, specific, and never revoked.
Have they failed in their calling? Yes—just as all of us have at times. Israel has struggled to walk faithfully in their covenant, just like every people group has fallen short. But here’s the powerful truth: God has remained faithful to them. From the very beginning, when Israel entered into covenant with God at Mount Sinai, He laid out both blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. When they followed Him as He instructed, they experienced His provision and favor. When they turned away, they faced discipline—often in the form of exile and separation from His presence. Yet even then, God’s faithfulness never wavered. Whenever the nation repented and called on His name, He welcomed them back with mercy and restoration. All of this is clearly outlined in the book of Deuteronomy.
God has not given up on Israel. In fact, sending them their Messiah—Jesus—was an expression of that very faithfulness. It was a continuation of His covenant promises, not a replacement for them.
But even when the Messiah came, many didn’t recognize Him. Some resisted God’s will through the Messiah. And that leaves us asking: What now? Is Israel cursed? Have they been cut off from God? Has the Church replaced Israel as the true “spiritual Israel”?
These are real questions that many Christians wrestle with when trying to understand the full depth of the Gospel. Paul—the apostle sent to the Gentiles—understood just how important these questions would be for followers of Jesus. That’s why he addresses them directly and passionately in the book of Romans.
Paul knew that how Gentiles view Israel shapes how we understand God's faithfulness, His promises, and the entire framework of redemptive history.
Let’s start with something the apostle Paul said in Romans 11:15:
“For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”
That’s a huge statement. Paul is speaking about the people of Israel—his own kinsmen according to the flesh. When many in Israel rejected Jesus, the message of salvation was extended to the Gentiles. This, by the way, aligns with the covenantal warnings outlined in Deuteronomy. But even when a generation turns away, God always preserves a faithful remnant. In the New Testament, that remnant consists of the apostles and the earliest followers of Jesus—all of whom were Jewish. Paul says that when the Jewish people who reject Jesus are brought back into their calling, it won’t just be good news—it will bring resurrection. Literally. He’s talking about the end of the age, when the dead are raised and God’s promises are fulfilled. This is not just symbolic. It’s the turning point of history when this age will end and the age to come will begin.
So when people say, “Israel was important in the Old Testament, but now the Church is the new Israel,” they’re not just misunderstanding a few verses—they’re missing the entire framework of the Bible.
Here’s the bigger story:
God chose Israel—not to bestow privilege, but to entrust them with responsibility. They were called to be a priestly nation, representing God to the nations and the nations before God. Their role was to carry the burdens of the world, to teach His ways, and to shine as a light to all peoples. When Jesus came the first time, that mission did not change. Nor did their covenant with God. In fact, Israel’s very existence continues to testify to the enduring covenant and to God’s unwavering faithfulness to His word.
And Paul says that calling upon Israel is still in place:
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
That means God hasn’t canceled Israel’s role. He hasn’t replaced them with someone else. He’s still committed to them, just like He was in the beginning.
But this is where people get confused. Some read verses like Galatians 3:28—“There is neither Jew nor Gentile…”—and assume all the old distinctions are erased. But Paul isn’t saying Jews and Gentiles are the same. He’s saying salvation is available to everyone equally. You don’t get saved by being Jewish or Gentile. But once you’re in the family of God, your background still matters. God doesn’t erase who you are—He redeems it.
There are still Jews.
There are still Gentiles.
And the story of the Bible still revolves around God's promises to Israel.
Remember the narrative:
At the Tower of Babel, the nations were scattered.
In Genesis 12, God chose one man—Abraham—and promised to bless all nations through his family.
That family became Israel.
Through Israel, the Messiah (Jesus) came.
And through Jesus, the promise of blessing is now reaching the nations.
But here’s the key point: God didn’t abandon His original plan. Jesus didn’t replace Israel—He fulfilled Israel’s mission and is guiding it toward its intended fulfillment. Jesus is the King of Israel, not the founder of a new religion. To accept Jesus while rejecting His own people—the very people over whom He reigns as King—is both contradictory and deeply misguided.
Even when some Jews reject Jesus and fall short of their calling, Paul affirms that Jesus stands in the gap for the unfaithful. In Romans 15:8, he writes:
“Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed.”
In other words, through Jesus, God ensures that even when humanity fails—even when Israel stumbles—His redemptive plan continues. Jesus becomes the faithful representative who carries the story forward, confirming God’s promises and fulfilling His purposes despite human weakness.
The Gentile nations are not replacing Israel. They’re joining the story. They’re being grafted in, not to take over, but to be part of what God started long ago.
This isn’t just about theology or politics—it’s about how we understand the Bible and God’s faithfulness. If we believe God canceled His promises to Israel, how can we trust Him to keep His promises to what many today call the modern church, which is largely made up of Gentiles (non-Jews)?
Paul says in Romans 11:11 that the role of Gentile believers is to provoke Israel to jealousy—not by trying to replace them, but by living in such a way that they want to return to their own calling. We’re called to love Israel, pray for them, and support their role in God’s plan.
And make no mistake—God is not done with them.
“All Israel will be saved.” (Romans 11:26, ESV)
That doesn’t mean every Jewish person will suddenly become a Christian. It means God will fulfill His promise. He will turn their hearts back to Him. This has been the story since the prophets. This was outlined in Deuteronomy.
In Ezekiel 20, God rebukes Israel for wanting to be like the other nations. He says:
“What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.’” (Ezekiel 20:32, ESV)
Why? Because God will not allow Israel to disappear into history. He will not let their calling go unfulfilled. Even when they resist Him, He remains faithful to them. He has scattered them before—but He will also regather them.
35 Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name: 36 “If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.” (Jeremiah 31:35–36, ESV Bible)
That’s what Paul is pointing to. Their hardening is temporary. Their estrangement has a purpose. It has allowed the nations (that’s us) to come into the story. But once the fullness of the nations is reached, God will turn His attention back to Israel. And that will be the moment when everything changes.
A lot of confusion started when, after the apostles, church leaders began teaching that the Church had replaced Israel. This idea is called supersessionism, or replacement theology. It happened in two stages:
First, people said the Church replaced Israel.
Then, they said the Church had always been Israel—and that the Old Testament was secretly all about the Church.
But that’s not what Paul taught. He said:
Don’t be arrogant toward Israel (Romans 11:18)
The non-believing Jewish people are still beloved because of their ancestors (Romans 11:28)
Their gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29)
When we spiritualize all the promises God made to Israel—about the Land, the Temple, the future reign of the Messiah—we’re changing the story. We’re reinterpreting it in a way the Bible never does. And that leads to confusion, pride, and often, antisemitism.
So what do we do?
We look to examples like Epaphras (Colossians 1:7; 4:12). He was a Gentile who learned the message of the God of Israel and went back to his hometown to share it. Epaphras embodies what Paul consistently taught: that Gentiles do not need to become Jews in order to follow the God of Israel. Rather, they are grafted in (Romans 11), called to worship the one true God as Gentiles, in their own ethnic and cultural identity—but in holiness and allegiance to Israel’s God and Messiah. That’s our role.
We are invited to carry this message—not as replacements, but as fellow heirs. We aren’t called to build empires or claim spiritual ownership of promises that weren’t made to us. We’re called to serve, love, and walk in humility.
That’s why Paul says in Romans 15:
And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” (Romans 15:10, ESV Bible)
Not instead of them. With them.
The story of the Bible doesn’t end with “the Church.” It continues through the restoration of Israel. And as we wait for Jesus to return, we live with that hope—knowing that God’s promises will come true. The Messiah didn’t cancel the plan. He confirmed it. And He will come again to finish what He started.
Until that day, we walk humbly, stay faithful, and carry the message forward—together.
Reflection Questions for Personal Study
Why do you think God chose to work through one specific family (Abraham’s) to bless all the nations?
How does understanding Israel’s calling as a “kingdom of priests” help you better understand God’s mission?
What does the idea of “covenant” mean to you, and why do you think God’s covenant with Israel is still important today?
Have you ever viewed Israel as central to the Gospel story before? How does this change your understanding?
How does Israel’s role help us better appreciate Jesus’ mission and identity?
What does it mean to you that God’s plan of redemption started with Israel and continues through Jesus?
In what ways are you tempted to view the Church as something “new” or separate from Israel’s story? How does this lesson challenge that view?
What does it mean to be part of God’s global family through faith in Jesus?
How might your life reflect the role of being “a light to the nations”?
Key Scriptures for New Believers to Read and Meditate On
Genesis 12:1–3 – God’s covenant promise to Abraham
Exodus 19:5–6 – Israel’s identity as a kingdom of priests
Deuteronomy 7:6–9 – God’s love and faithfulness to Israel
Psalm 105:8–10 – God remembers His covenant forever
Isaiah 49:6 – Israel as a light to the nations
Acts 13:47 – Paul’s affirmation of Israel’s mission in light of Jesus
Romans 11:1–2, 17–18, 28–29 – Paul reaffirms God’s ongoing plan for Israel
Prayer Topics
Thank God for His faithfulness in keeping His covenant through generations.
Ask God to help you understand the significance of Israel in the Gospel story.
Pray for the Jewish people—that they would see their Messiah and walk in their calling.
Invite God to reveal how your role fits into His greater plan to reach the nations.
Confess any assumptions or misunderstandings you may have carried about Israel and ask for a heart that honors God’s redemptive plan.
Group Discussion Prompts
Why is it important to understand the Old Testament when learning about Jesus and the Gospel?
What are some misconceptions people might have about Israel’s role in God’s plan?
How do you respond to the idea that the covenant with Israel is “everlasting”?
In what ways does understanding Israel’s mission shape how we think about our own mission as followers of Jesus?
How might replacement theology influence the way people interpret Scripture and the Gospel?
What does it mean for the Church to honor God's plan for Israel while also living as God's people from many nations?