A Biblical Theology of Mission (Old Testament Witness to the Conversion of the Nations)

The Old Testament Scriptures consistently anticipate the conversion of the nations, Gentiles, to faith in Yahweh.

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. (Psalm 22:27)

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. (Psalm 86:9)

^9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:1,2)

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)

⁵ And now Yahweh says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of Yahweh and my God has been my strength—⁶ he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:5,6)

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:3)

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13,14)

My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says Yahweh Almighty. (Malachi 1:11)

Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve him shoulder to shoulder. (Zephaniah 3:9)

¹⁹ Yahweh, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good. ²⁰ Do people make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!” ²¹ “Therefore I will teach them—this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is Yahweh. (Jeremiah 16:19-21)

¹⁰ “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares Yahweh. ¹¹ “Many nations will be joined with Yahweh in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that Yahweh —Almighty has sent me to you. (Zechariah 2:10,11)