When Did the Separation of Humanity into Jews and Gentiles Occur?
The separation of humanity into Jews and Gentiles first began with the calling of Abraham in Genesis 12. Prior to Abraham, there was no distinction made between different people groups. All of humanity descended from Adam and Eve and lived together as one people. However, God chose to set apart Abraham and his descendants as a unique nation that would follow and worship Him.
The Calling of Abraham
In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram (later renamed Abraham) to leave his country and relatives and go to the land that God would show him. God makes a special covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and make his name great. God also promises, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). This indicates that through Abraham, God would enact His plan of redemption for the whole world.
God later confirms His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17. He promises to give Abraham an heir and make his descendants into a great nation. God says, “I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7). God sets apart Abraham and his family as His chosen people.
The special designation and calling of Abraham and his descendants represent the beginning of the Jews as a distinct people group. The nation that comes from Abraham will be God’s people, whom He has called to follow and worship Him alone. This separates them from the other peoples of the world, who do not know or follow God.
The Growth of Abraham’s Descendants
Abraham listens to God’s call and travels to Canaan, where God promises to give his offspring the land. Abraham’s son Isaac is born according to God’s promise. Isaac’s son Jacob, later named Israel, has 12 sons who become the 12 tribes of Israel.
Through various events in Genesis, this small family grows into a large group of people. In Genesis 46, Jacob and his family move to Egypt to escape a famine. At this point, Jacob’s family numbers 70 people (Genesis 46:27). By the time of the Exodus over 400 years later, the Israelites number in the hundreds of thousands, maybe even over a million.
This enormous growth highlights the fulfillment of God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. It also shows a distinct separation between the Israelites and the other people groups living in Canaan and Egypt. As the Israelites rapidly increase, they emerge as a people group specially blessed and set apart by God.
The Exodus and Receiving of the Law
The Exodus marks a definitive transition point in the history of the Jewish people. In Exodus 1-15, God rescues the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. He brings them to Mount Sinai, where He establishes His covenant with them as a nation.
At Mount Sinai, God gives the Mosaic Law to the Israelites. This includes the Ten Commandments as well as many other laws regulating Israel’s religious, social, and moral behavior. God promises, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5). The laws God gives distinguish Israel from all other nations and show that they are holy, set apart for God’s purposes.
The Exodus and the receiving of the Law is a major event shaping Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people. The Passover feast institutes a key tradition reminding the Jews of God’s salvation and deliverance. The extensive laws guide the Israelites to live differently than the peoples around them. This shows that they have a unique relationship with God as His treasured possession.
The Promised Land
After the Exodus, God leads the people of Israel towards Canaan, the land He had promised to Abraham’s descendants. Entering Canaan represents another significant step in Israel’s identity as God’s chosen nation.
In Deuteronomy, Moses delivers speeches preparing Israel to enter the Promised Land. Moses reviews the events of the Exodus and reminds Israel of God’s laws and commands. He calls them to strictly obey God once they enter Canaan. As Moses says, “See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them” (Deuteronomy 1:8).
By giving Israel the land of Canaan, God provides a physical fulfillment of His promises to Abraham. Settlement in the Promised Land gives the nation stability and a means to obey God’s laws. Living in the land sets them apart, as they are called to avoid intermarriage and false religion that could turn their hearts from God. Entering Canaan represents a tangible expression of Israel’s covenant relationship with God as His special people.
The Monarchy and Building of the Temple
After settlement in Canaan, Israel goes through cycles of obeying and disobeying God’s commands. As predicted by Moses and other prophets, Israel often falls into idolatry and religious syncretism. But God continues to work out His purposes for Israel.
During Samuel’s leadership, Israel requests a king to lead them like the other nations (1 Samuel 8:4-9). God allows this and establishes Saul as the first king over Israel. Saul sins against God, so God selects David as king instead. God makes a covenant with David, promising that his throne will endure forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This points ahead to the eventual Messiah who will reign on David’s throne.
David’s son Solomon builds the first temple in Jerusalem, establishing a permanent center for Israel’s worship of God. The temple represents God’s presence dwelling among His people Israel. The kingdom period shows God’s faithfulness to establish Israel as a powerful, influential nation according to His promises.
Israel’s special identity is reflected in the blessings of nationhood and God’s presence among them. Even when they sin and fall short, God shows mercy and continues to work out His covenant plan for Israel. His promises to Abraham undergird Israel’s identity throughout all generations.
Israel’s Rebellion and the Exile
Despite God’s faithfulness, Israel continually sins against Him and breaks the covenant. Israel falls into idolatry and religious syncretism as they are influenced by the pagan nations around them. God sends many prophets to warn Israel to repent, but they repeatedly disobey.
The books of 1 & 2 Kings detail Israel’s descent into idolatry through their sinful kings. The prophet Jeremiah calls them to turn from their idols and repent, but they refuse. Finally, God uses the Babylonian empire to judge Israel. Babylonia invades Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the temple, and takes most of the population into exile in Babylon.
This represents a catastrophic event for Israel’s identity. Living in exile in a foreign land, they lose their autonomy and important symbols like the temple. However, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. Through prophets like Ezekiel and Zechariah, He promises to restore Israel and return them to the land. After 70 years of exile, the Jews are allowed to return to Judah and rebuild the temple.
Though Israel’s rebellion results in judgment, God shows mercy and keeps His covenant with Abraham. Israel retains their unique identity through the exile, as God continues to work through them. The promises to Abraham remain in place to bring redemption through Israel to the world.
Separation of Jews and Gentiles in the New Testament
Building upon God’s covenant with Abraham, the New Testament makes a more formal separation between Jews (Israel) and Gentiles (all other nations). Though other nations are blessed through Israel, only Jews were required to follow the Law of Moses. Gentiles were “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12).
Christ came as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel. As the Messiah, Jesus ministered almost exclusively to the Jews during His time on earth. He claimed to come first to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). His disciples continued this focus in the early years after His resurrection.
However, Jesus also commanded His followers to take the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19). The book of Acts details the spread of the church from Jews to Gentiles. Through Peter and Paul’s ministry, Gentiles begin believing in Jesus, receiving the Holy Spirit and participating in the church.
The dispute over whether Gentiles needed to become circumcised and follow the Law of Moses caused contention in the early church. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 decided that Gentile believers did not need to follow the Jewish law. They affirmed that salvation comes to both Jews and Gentiles through faith in Christ alone.
Paul’s letters address issues caused by the separation between Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul emphasizes that though they have differences in background, all believers are one in Christ. Through faith, both Jews and Gentiles are full members together in the church. Believers share one faith in the same Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The distinction between the Jews as God’s chosen people and the Gentiles goes back to the calling of Abraham in Genesis. God set apart Israel and performed mighty miracles to form a special nation through whom He would redeem the world. Israel’s identity was shaped through events like the Exodus, receiving the Law, conquering Canaan and the Exile. Jesus came first to the Jews but opened salvation to the Gentiles through faith in Him. Today, Jews and Gentiles alike must put faith in Christ alone to receive eternal life. All believers are united as one body in Him.