Israel’s priority in Old Testament missiology

Abstract

The present article challenges Walter C. Kaiser, Jr’s influential proposal for evangelical Old Testament missiology. Out of concern to avoid an understanding of “Israel as God’s favored or pet nation,” Kaiser argues that God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12:3 is for the sake of all nations, and as such, “the first Great Commission mandate of the Bible.” In its three exegetical sections, the article seeks to overturn Kaiser’s Gentile-centric interpretation of the apostle Paul; his reading of the Primeval History in Genesis as a story of universal curse; and his understanding of the blessing of Abraham as remedial. More basically, it asserts the priority of Israel within God’s ways and works.