Topical Bible: The Heathen: Strangers to the Covenant of Promise

◄ The Heathen: Strangers to the Covenant of Promise ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical terminology, the term "heathen" is often used to describe those who are outside the covenant community of Israel, lacking the knowledge and worship of the one true God. The concept of the heathen is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Old and New Testaments, where the people of Israel are depicted as God's chosen people, set apart from the surrounding nations.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "heathen" is "goyim," which generally refers to nations or peoples other than Israel. These nations were frequently characterized by their idolatry and pagan practices, which were in stark contrast to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs and religious practices of these nations. For instance, in Leviticus 18:3 , God commands the Israelites, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs."

The heathen nations were often seen as instruments of God's judgment against Israel when they strayed from His commandments. However, the prophets also foretold a time when the nations would come to know the God of Israel. Isaiah 2:2 prophesies, "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek term "ethnos" is used similarly to refer to the Gentiles or non-Jewish peoples. The coming of Jesus Christ marked a significant shift in the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. Through Christ, the promise of salvation was extended beyond the boundaries of Israel to include all nations. Ephesians 2:12-13 highlights this transformation: "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

The apostle Paul played a crucial role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles, emphasizing that faith in Christ, rather than adherence to the Mosaic Law, was the means of inclusion into the covenant community. Romans 1:16 states, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek."

Theological Implications

The inclusion of the heathen into the covenant of promise underscores the universality of the Gospel message. It reflects God's redemptive plan for all humanity, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. This theme is echoed in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples in Matthew 28:19 , "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

The transformation from being "strangers to the covenant of promise" to becoming fellow heirs with Israel is a testament to God's grace and the fulfillment of His promises. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a light to the nations, embodying the message of reconciliation and hope found in the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:12
That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hope for the Heathen
... united with Israel, sharing in the blessings of the covenant. ... God's purpose was lost
sight of, the heathen came to ... from among the sons of the strangers were to ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... who dwelt in the "uttermost ends of the earth, strangers to the covenant of promise ...
The priest fled from his falling shrine; and the heathen oracles became ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... covenant, they were separated from the heathen, were called ... is deemed an alien to
the covenant until he ... as they were plunged in idolatry, were strangers to the ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
... the idolatry of the ancient heathen, or otherwise ... accounted the privileges of the
covenant children; while ... the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter x covenanting a privilege.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... As a covenant people, the heathen were given to ... to his service through life: sojourning
strangers, not Canaanites ... to be the heir of the Covenant promise of God ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... in him shall they glory." Strangers brought into ... by him with having broken his covenant,
are described ... classed with the uncircumcised heathen, as uncircumcised ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... previously circumcised; and this implies that strangers might partake ... the sign and
feast of the covenant if they ... vanity of the idols of the heathen world had ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... Israel was chosen from among the heathen; but all ... works include the keeping of the
covenant, by Covenanting ... the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... believe in the conversion of the heathen remember what ... day, she was glad to welcome
strangers, for like ... thee." That is the grand old covenant promise and it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

Easter Tuesday
... nor even permitted them publicly to preach, strangers that they ... Not as blind, ignorant
heathen, but as a people ... of that promise he here terms a covenant of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter tuesday 2.htm