Question re: Old Testament non-Jews

I received a question regarding people of the Old Testament who were not Jews; did they have access to God, and does the Bible address these people.  The answer is that the Bible does address this, and they did have access to God.

We recognize that God did set aside the Jewish people, also called Hebrews or Israelites in the OT.  Starting with Abraham and his descendants, the OT follows the happenings of the Jews down through history.  And not only is the history recorded; God watches over His people, protects them as long as they sincerely try to follow Him.  It would seem that one major reason that these people are singled out is that they are the lineage, the family, the forefathers of Jesus.  This genealogy is recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3.  Jesus was born a Jew, and He lived that way.

As for the other people who were not Jews, we see many references to them throughout the OT, but they typically are idol worshipers and not followers of the true God.  In Romans 1, starting with verse 18, Paul is discussing the unrighteous people, saying, "..what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful."  He then goes on to describe in some detail the evil that men get into when they don't follow God. 

Another passage that gives us some understanding of the subject is found in Acts 17.  In verse 22, we find Paul in Athens talking to a non-Jewish audience about the true God.  The Athenians were idol worshipers and were quite confused about their beliefs.  Paul said in verse 26, "..He has made from one blood every nation of men...so that they should seek the Lord."  Speaking of idol worshipers, he says in verse 30, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." 

So in Romans 1, he says that God's attributes have always been visible to all people. In Acts 17, it is emphasized that the time for excuses is over.  All men are to follow God in the same way, i.e., through Jesus Christ. 

I hope that this helps.  Have a great week!