All of the major Old Testament prophets proclaim messages not only to the Jewish people but also to the surrounding nations. Israel was God’s chosen people who were in a special covenant relationship with the LORD. But God was also concerned about the other nations as well. The primary reason why the LORD had chosen Israel in the first place was so that they could be a light unto the other people groups. We see this purpose right from the initial call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. The LORD wanted to bless all peoples through the descendants of Abraham and Sarah.

This passionate burden for the nations surrounding Judah is also seen in the prophetic preaching to them in the Book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-52). Let us hear these words of the LORD regarding the Moabite people in Jeremiah 48:31,32: “Therefore I wail over Moab, for all Moab I cry out, I moan for the men of Kir Hareseth. I weep for you, as Jazer weeps, O vines of Sibmah. Your branches spread as far as the sea; they reached as far the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen on your ripened fruit and grapes.” The God of the Old Testament is a God of compassionate care for all peoples. He desired that not only disobedient Jews would come to repentance and right relationship with Him, but also to the other people groups. This is why He chose Israel in the first place and why He addresses the Gentile nations through His servants the prophets.

Our salvation is never just about us or “me”. God saves us for a purpose that is bigger than just ourselves. He saves us to be a blessing to other people and He saves us to show forth His glory. We are blessed the most when we keep this wider vision of God central in our lives. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor John

Click here for tomorrow’s reading of Lamentations 2:1 – Ezekiel 12:20.