The implication is that outwardly his task would be easier than if sent to the heathen whose language he did not understand and to whom his tongue would be foreign. His commission was primarily to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (see Matt. 15:24), not that other nations were outside the pale of salvation, but that God’s purpose was to make Israel the spiritual nucleus and evangelizing force. Through His chosen people He purposed to preserve among men a knowledge of His law and expand His spiritual kingdom. The prophets recognized this purpose. A considerable portion of Ezekiel’s prophecies was devoted to an enumeration of judgments to be visited upon surrounding nations. These were in intent appeals to these countries, disclosing to them their subsequent history in the event they refused to accept God’s plan (see Jer. 18:7, 8).