The Old Testament and the Foundation of Mission

1. Mission Initiates with God (Missio Dei)

The notion of mission originates not just in the New Testament with Jesus or Paul, but rather with God Himself, from the inception of the biblical narrative. The Old Testament reveals God's will for all nations via His covenant with His people.

Genesis 12:1--3 God summons Abraham and pledges to bless all nations through him. That constitutes a missionary commitment. It has a worldwide breadth. From the outset, God's design included not alone Israel but also the use of Israel as a beacon for the world.

2. The Nations Remain Constantly Visible

Throughout the Old Testament, there is a persistent theme of God extending His outreach to all humanity, not alone to Israel.

• Consider Jonah, sent to Nineveh, a city of pagans.
• The Psalms often summon "all nations" and "all peoples" to revere the Lord (e.g., Psalm 67, 96).
• The Torah's regulations accommodated foreigners and strangers residing inside Israel.

3. The Old Testament Establishes the Foundation for the Mission

In the absence of the OT, we cannot get a comprehensive understanding:

• The nature of God --- kind, equitable, long-suffering, seeking contrition.
• The objective of God's people --- Israel was intended to serve as a beacon to the nations (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6).
• The narrative of redemption --- Jesus emerges as the culmination of Israel's purpose.

4. Jesus and the Apostles' Perspective

Jesus often alludes to the Old Testament while discussing His mission. He saw Himself as the embodiment of the Law and the Prophets (Luke 24:27). The early church in Acts bases its missionary endeavors on the Old Testament writings.

5. An Expanded Perspective on Divine Endeavors

Examining the mission from the Old Testament provides a comprehensive understanding of God's overarching purpose --- including not just "go and tell," but also bless, illuminate, live faithfully, and embody God's essence to the world.

Summary

Beginning with the Old Testament elucidates that mission is not only an afterthought of the New Testament; rather, it is the central theme of the whole biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. God has consistently been a sending deity, wishing to bestow blessings onto the whole globe via His followers.