Remember the Call of Abram?
Yes, God's missionary heart did not begin in the New Testament. It is woven throughout the entire Bible. He said in the Book of Genesis. Jesus did not invent God's deep concern for the nations; He fulfilled what God had been revealing all along throughout history.
Remember when God intervened in the world with the choosing of Abraham who was sent. Now these words, in His choosing of Abram, might appear kind of different, but check it out. This passage is one chapter after humanity said, “Let us make a name for ourselves.” God chose one family back in the day to start a missionary outreach. Genesis 12:1–3 says:
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”.
The Lord is a missionary God.
In his last letter to Timothy, Paul writes: ‘You.. have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness’ (2 Timothy 3:10). The apostle Paul clearly knew what he was trying to achieve – hence he can write ‘my aim in life’.
As Paul neared the end of his life he wrote to Timothy, now a pastor in Ephesus, to encourage him to follow the policy – the blueprint for ministry and church life – that flows out of the gospel. Paul was passing on the battle plan to Timothy so that his ministry would have a clear purpose and direction.
What is the church here for? Making an impact in this world so people come to faith in Jesus.
Twenty centuries on, the need remains to have direction and purpose in gospel work. It is good and right to ask: ‘What is the purpose of the church?’ Ultimately, the aim of the church is to bring glory to God, but what must the church and its ministers do to fulfil this objective?
It is clear from the New Testament that if the church is to glorify God, it will gather for worship, for prayer, and to study God’s Word. In addition, church life will be characterised by mutual love, a working together and a determination to make the gospel known.
Furthermore, this last work will not be restricted to the local area but will involve a desire to see the good news preached throughout the world in accordance with the Lord’s commission (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). Local churches should therefore be missionary-minded churches.
If we are not careful, our missionary involvement can be characterised by vagueness and half-heartedness, rather than the devotion and enthusiasm that this vital work requires. The aim of this series of articles is to help ministers and churches become mission-focused – to consider how they view mission, how they pray for mission, and how they support mission financially.
God with His Missions Heart in the Old Testament
The true author of all missionary activity is the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The Lord has always been more concerned and activce with this work than we could ever be. Therefore, mission work (domestic or overseas) should be seen, first and foremost, as God work and not ours.. though He calls us to be in volved with Him. We Christians have a part to play as witnesses for Christ.
From the opening chapters in Genisis we hear (‘The Lord God called to Adam.. 'Where are you?'’) to its closing paragraphs (‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who is thirsty come. And … take of the water of life freely’). For example:
In Genesis, the Lord made the world because he is a missionary God! Although he was sufficient in himself, he chose to create a world inhabited by people so that he might relate to intelligent and sentient beings outside of himself (Genesis 1:1; 1:26).
When man rebelled, God promised a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15) and set out the purpose of his mission, namely, to redeem a fallen race in Christ. In Genesis 12 God calls Abram through whom he intends to bless all the nations of the world – and reveals in Abraham a work of grace through faith encompassing every age and dispensation in history.
In Exodus we see the continuing purpose of God to have his own people who, despite their rebellion and disobedience, embodied the principle of free redemption and pictured the true church, ‘the Israel of God’ (Galatians 6:16).
In the Prophets (e.g., Isaiah 2:2-3) we see the Lord’s concern for the whole world. Isaiah 9:1-2 speaks of ‘a light shining amongst Gentiles to dispel sin and rebellion’. Joel 2:32 asserts that ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ – witness Jonah’s commission to preach salvation to Gentile Nineveh, and the Lord’s declaration in Malachi 1:11: ‘my name shall be great among the Gentiles … [and] among the nations’.
The Psalms also contain many references to the international scope of the gospel (e.g. Psalm 2:7-8; 65:2; 67:2; 102:21-22).
The Old Testament thus teaches that all mankind belongs to God and that he is concerned for their evangelisation. This is more explicit in the New Testament, perhaps, but the foundation is solidly laid in the Old. Long before the Messiah appeared on the stage of human history, God had plans and intentions for mission to all nations.
In my Sunday School (life group classes we keep reading about Elijah nor Elisha). We can see that every-thing depends on the initiative of God.
Elijah and Elisha going Beyond the Area of Israel
Neither made frequent missionary journeys like Paul. Their ministries were primarily directed to Israel, calling God's covenant people to repentance. However, God deliberately sent them to Gentiles at key moments to show that His grace extended beyond Israel.
Elijah
1. Sent to the widow at Zarephath (Sidon)
- 1 Kings 17:8-24
- Zarephath belonged to Sidon, a Gentile region (modern Lebanon).
- God bypassed many widows in Israel and sent Elijah to a Gentile widow.
- Jesus later highlighted this event in Luke 4:25-26.
This is Elijah's only clearly recorded ministry outside Israel.
Elisha
1. Naaman the Syrian
- 2 Kings 5:1-19
- Naaman was commander of the Syrian army.
- He came from Damascus and was healed of leprosy.
- He confessed,
"Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15)
Jesus referred to this account in Luke 4:27.
Whether Elisha himself traveled into Syria is not recorded. Rather, Naaman came to Elisha.
2. Ministry connected with Syria
- 2 Kings 6:8-23
- Elisha dealt repeatedly with the Syrian army.
- After God blinded the Syrians, Elisha led them into Samaria where they were fed and released rather than killed.
- This displayed God's mercy even toward Israel's enemies.
Again, Elisha himself is not recorded as traveling into Syria.
Other Old Testament examples of God's heart for the nations
There are many more examples than Elijah and Elisha.
Abraham
- Genesis 12:1-3
- "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
From the very beginning, God's covenant had every nation in view.
Melchizedek
- Genesis 14:18-20
- A Gentile priest who worshiped the true God.
Hagar
- Genesis 16
- God sought an Egyptian servant woman.
Joseph
- Genesis 39-50
- Used by God to preserve Egyptians and many surrounding peoples.
Rahab
- Joshua 2
- A Canaanite woman saved by faith.
Ruth
- Entire book of Ruth
- A Moabite who became part of the Messiah's family line.
Jonah
- Entire book
- Sent to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
- Perhaps the clearest missionary book in the Old Testament.
Daniel
- Throughout Daniel
- Witnessed before Babylonian and Persian kings.
Esther
- God preserved His people among the nations.
Psalms
Many psalms call all nations to worship God.
Examples:
- Psalm 22:27-28
- Psalm 47:1-9
- Psalm 67
- Psalm 96:1-10
- Psalm 98
- Psalm 117
Isaiah
Isaiah repeatedly speaks of God's salvation reaching every nation.
Examples:
- Isaiah 2:2-4
- Isaiah 11:10
- Isaiah 19:23-25
- Isaiah 42:6
- Isaiah 49:6
- Isaiah 52:10
- Isaiah 56:6-8
- Isaiah 66:18-21
Zechariah
- Zechariah 2:11
- Zechariah 8:20-23
- Zechariah 14:16
Many nations will come to worship the Lord.
Jesus revealed the same missionary heart as the Father
Jesus ministered mostly among Israel but intentionally crossed ethnic and cultural boundaries.
Examples:
- John 4 – Samaritan woman
- Matthew 8:5-13 – Roman centurion
- Mark 7:24-30 – Syrophoenician woman
- Mark 5:1-20 – Gerasene demoniac in Gentile territory
- Luke 17:11-19 – Samaritan leper
- Luke 19:10 – "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Jesus also declared:
"For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)
The Great Commission Is Also My Mission Today
After His resurrection, Jesus expanded the mission publicly.
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Mark 16:15
- Luke 24:46-47
- John 20:21
- Acts 1:8
The gospel was to go:
- Jerusalem
- Judea
- Samaria
- The ends of the earth
The early church
Acts demonstrates God's heart moving steadily outward.
- Acts 8 – Samaritans
- Acts 8 – Ethiopian official
- Acts 10 – Cornelius
- Acts 11 – Gentile church at Antioch
- Acts 13-28 – Paul's missionary journeys across Asia Minor and Europe
Revelation
The Bible ends exactly where God's promise to Abraham pointed.
- Revelation 5:9
- Revelation 7:9-10
People redeemed
"from every tribe and language and people and nation."
The unchanging promises, word and missionary heart of God has won me over
To Jesus who was sent to save us. Taken together, Scripture reveals one consistent story:
- God blessed Abraham so all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
- Israel was called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
- Elijah ministered to a widow in Sidon (1 Kings 17:8-24).
- Elisha extended God's grace to Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5:1-19).
- Jonah was sent to Nineveh.
- The Psalms repeatedly summon all peoples to praise the Lord.
- The prophets foresaw the nations streaming to worship the true God.
- Jesus came to seek and save the lost and commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
- Acts records the gospel spreading from Jerusalem to the Gentile world.
- Revelation culminates with a redeemed multitude from every tribe, language, people, and nation worshiping the Lamb forever.
As John Stott said, "The Bible is not primarily the story of the church's mission, but of God's mission." While the wording is often paraphrased in different ways, it accurately reflects a major biblical theme: from Genesis to Revelation, God is going, is sending, gathering a people for Himself from every nation under heaven.
Elijah and Elisha going beyond Israel
Neither Elijah nor Elisha made frequent missionary journeys like Paul. Their ministries were primarily directed to Israel, calling God's covenant people to repentance. However, God deliberately sent them to Gentiles at key moments to show that His grace extended beyond Israel.
Elijah
1. Sent to the widow at Zarephath (Sidon)
- 1 Kings 17:8-24
- Zarephath belonged to Sidon, a Gentile region (modern Lebanon).
- God bypassed many widows in Israel and sent Elijah to a Gentile widow.
- Jesus later highlighted this event in Luke 4:25-26.
This is Elijah's only clearly recorded ministry outside Israel.
Elisha
1. Naaman the Syrian
- 2 Kings 5:1-19
- Naaman was commander of the Syrian army.
- He came from Damascus and was healed of leprosy.
- He confessed,
"Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15)
Jesus referred to this account in Luke 4:27.
Whether Elisha himself traveled into Syria is not recorded. Rather, Naaman came to Elisha.
2. Ministry connected with Syria
- 2 Kings 6:8-23
- Elisha dealt repeatedly with the Syrian army.
- After God blinded the Syrians, Elisha led them into Samaria where they were fed and released rather than killed.
- This displayed God's mercy even toward Israel's enemies.
Again, Elisha himself is not recorded as traveling into Syria.
Wanna See Other Old Testament Examples of God's heart for the Nations Needing His Mercy and Grace
There are many more examples than Elijah and Elisha.
Abraham
- Genesis 12:1-3
- "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
From the very beginning, God's covenant had every nation in view.
Melchizedek
- Genesis 14:18-20
- A Gentile priest who worshiped the true God.
Hagar
- Genesis 16
- God sought an Egyptian servant woman.
Joseph
- Genesis 39-50
- Used by God to preserve Egyptians and many surrounding peoples.
Rahab
- Joshua 2
- A Canaanite woman saved by faith.
Ruth
- Entire book of Ruth
- A Moabite who became part of the Messiah's family line.
Jonah
- Entire book
- Sent to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
- Perhaps the clearest missionary book in the Old Testament.
Daniel
- Throughout Daniel
- Witnessed before Babylonian and Persian kings.
Esther
- God preserved His people among the nations.
Psalms
Many psalms call all nations to worship God.
Examples:
- Psalm 22:27-28
- Psalm 47:1-9
- Psalm 67
- Psalm 96:1-10
- Psalm 98
- Psalm 117
Isaiah
Isaiah repeatedly speaks of God's salvation reaching every nation.
Examples:
- Isaiah 2:2-4
- Isaiah 11:10
- Isaiah 19:23-25
- Isaiah 42:6
- Isaiah 49:6
- Isaiah 52:10
- Isaiah 56:6-8
- Isaiah 66:18-21
Zechariah
- Zechariah 2:11
- Zechariah 8:20-23
- Zechariah 14:16
Many nations will come to worship the Lord.
Jesus revealed the same missionary heart
Jesus ministered mostly among Israel but intentionally crossed ethnic and cultural boundaries.
Examples:
- John 4 – Samaritan woman
- Matthew 8:5-13 – Roman centurion
- Mark 7:24-30 – Syrophoenician woman
- Mark 5:1-20 – Gerasene demoniac in Gentile territory
- Luke 17:11-19 – Samaritan leper
- Luke 19:10 – "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Jesus also declared:
"For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)
The Great Commission Is Our Mission
After His resurrection, Jesus expanded the mission publicly.
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Mark 16:15
- Luke 24:46-47
- John 20:21
- Acts 1:8
The gospel was to go:
- Jerusalem
- Judea
- Samaria
- The ends of the earth
The early church
Acts demonstrates God's heart moving steadily outward.
- Acts 8 – Samaritans
- Acts 8 – Ethiopian official
- Acts 10 – Cornelius
- Acts 11 – Gentile church at Antioch
- Acts 13-28 – Paul's missionary journeys across Asia Minor and Europe
Revelation
The Bible ends exactly where God's promise to Abraham pointed.
- Revelation 5:9
- Revelation 7:9-10
People redeemed
"from every tribe and language and people and nation."
The unchanging missionary heart of God
Taken together, Scripture reveals one consistent story:
- God blessed Abraham so all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
- Israel was called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
- Elijah ministered to a widow in Sidon (1 Kings 17:8-24).
- Elisha extended God's grace to Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5:1-19).
- Jonah was sent to Nineveh.
- The Psalms repeatedly summon all peoples to praise the Lord.
- The prophets foresaw the nations streaming to worship the true God.
- Jesus came to seek and save the lost and commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
- Acts records the gospel spreading from Jerusalem to the Gentile world.
- Revelation culminates with a redeemed multitude from every tribe, language, people, and nation worshiping the Lamb forever.
As John Stott observed, "The Bible is not primarily the story of the church's mission, but of God's mission." While the wording is often paraphrased in different ways, it accurately reflects a major biblical theme: from Genesis to Revelation, God is gathering a people for Himself from every nation under heaven. KnowGod.org
