In the biblical narrative, the term "Gentiles" refers to the nations or peoples who are not part of the covenant community of Israel. Throughout the Scriptures, Gentiles are often depicted in contrast to the Israelites, who are God's chosen people. The portrayal of Gentiles as blasphemous and reproachful is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of their idolatrous practices and opposition to God's purposes.

Idolatry and Blasphemy

The Old Testament frequently associates Gentiles with idolatry, which is considered a blasphemous act against the one true God. In Deuteronomy 32:16-17 , the Israelites are warned against adopting the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations: "They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This passage highlights the spiritual danger posed by the Gentiles' worship of false gods, which is seen as a direct affront to the holiness of Yahweh.

The prophets also speak against the blasphemous nature of Gentile nations. In Isaiah 36:18-20 , the Assyrian king Sennacherib mocks the God of Israel, equating Him with the powerless gods of other nations: "Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem?" This blasphemous challenge underscores the reproachful attitude of Gentile rulers who defy the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Reproach and Opposition

Gentiles are often depicted as reproachful, opposing God's people and His plans. In the book of Nehemiah, the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls is met with scorn and derision from the surrounding Gentile nations. Nehemiah 4:1-3 records the mockery of Sanballat and Tobiah: "Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, 'What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore the wall for themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?' Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, 'Even if a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!'" This passage illustrates the contempt and opposition faced by the Israelites from their Gentile neighbors.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the reproachful behavior of Gentiles in Romans 1:21-23 : "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Here, Paul highlights the spiritual blindness and moral decay of the Gentiles, who reject the truth of God and turn to idolatry.

Divine Judgment and Redemption

Despite their blasphemous and reproachful actions, the Bible also reveals God's redemptive plan for the Gentiles. While they are often depicted as adversaries of God's people, the prophetic writings and the New Testament proclaim a future where Gentiles will come to know and worship the true God. Isaiah 49:6 speaks of the Servant of the Lord as a light to the Gentiles: "He says, 'It is not enough for you to be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

In the New Testament, the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community through faith in Jesus Christ is a central theme. Acts 13:47 echoes the prophecy of Isaiah: "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" This demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel, which extends God's grace and salvation to all nations, overcoming the blasphemy and reproach that once characterized the Gentiles.Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, It is not good that you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
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they disguise their blasphemous absurdities under the name of Christianity ...
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Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... Israel' we are to understand all those that God hath promised to Christ"'The children
of the promise are counted for the seed,' the elect Jews and Gentiles. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

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