Thank you for the question on God’s covenant with the Jewish people and the non-Jewish people in the Old Testament, “Were the Old Testament saints limited only to the Israelites according to the Bible or were any gentile nations included in the contract with God?”
God made a covenant with Abram that he would bless him and his descendants. His descendant or descendants will be a blessing to the nations.
Genesis 12 says this, “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
The covenant with Abram is later confirmed with the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19–20. The Covenant is primarily with the descendants of Abraham. When the Israelites left Egypt, there were other people groups who joined them. It appears that the Egyptians and other slaves joined the Israelites and became part of the Covenant provided they followed the Mosaic Laws.
As Joshua conquered the Promised Land, one of the Canaanites cites, the Gibeonites became servants for the Israelites. They were to become workers for the Tabernacle. It was in many ways an honored position. God didn’t include the other non-Jewish nations in his covenant with Israel although individuals can become part of the Israelite family as Ruth, the Moabitess.
The Israelites were to be priest before the LORD, declaring the goodness and greatness of God. As the surrounding nations came to hear of God’s blessing on this people group, they would want to know about the LORD God of Israel. An example of this is during the reign of King Solomon when the Queen of Sheba came and visited him.
Because Abraham had Ishmael through Hagar, and Rebekah had twins, Esau and Jacob, I believe that the descendants of Ishmael and Esau are also blessed people group. Their blessing is different from Israel since God made the covenant through Isaac. Sadly their relationship with Israel was a contentious one but one day in the Millennial Kingdom. They will be reconciled and peace with be restored between them. The promise that all the nations will be blessed by the descendant of Abraham was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
SUMMARY: God’s covenant in the Old Testament was and is with the nation of Israel while individuals of other people group can become part of the covenant by worshiping the LORD and following his commandments.
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