The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Romans 11:7-8,
"What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.'"
In this chapter of Romans Paul speaks to the issue of why so many Jews rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ, while the Gentiles were more receptive. One would think the nation God founded as his own people to pursue his redemptive agenda would be the people most receptive to the gospel message.
In the previous chapter Paul observed, "For I can testify about them [the Israellites] that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge." Romans 10:2. There he pointed out that the Jews sought their relationship with God through law-keeping. Here Paul points out that only "the elect" obtained that relationship. "The elect" being those who pursue God in his chosen way (his elected way), of faith, not law-keeping.
"What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.'"
In this chapter of Romans Paul speaks to the issue of why so many Jews rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ, while the Gentiles were more receptive. One would think the nation God founded as his own people to pursue his redemptive agenda would be the people most receptive to the gospel message.
In the previous chapter Paul observed, "For I can testify about them [the Israellites] that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge." Romans 10:2. There he pointed out that the Jews sought their relationship with God through law-keeping. Here Paul points out that only "the elect" obtained that relationship. "The elect" being those who pursue God in his chosen way (his elected way), of faith, not law-keeping.
Paul also points out here, as he quotes Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10, that there are those who, in rejecting the gospel of faith, are hardened by God, a horrific position to find oneself in. This would render one incapable of later embracing the Lord in faith while in this life. This is a theme we find in John's quote of Isaiah 6:10 as well, where he speaks of God blinding the eyes and hardening the hearts of those who rejected Jesus Christ, John 12:30-41.. Dead men walking!
A lot of questions answered in this chapter!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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