Today’s devotion comes from Romans 10:18-21.
“18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.”
19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”
21 But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.” Romans 10:18-21.
——————-
In today’s Scripture, Paul is writing about the failure of Israel to have faith.
We remember the previous verse to today’s Scripture. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.
So, Paul logically follows Romans 10:17 by his follow-up questions which seem sarcastic in verses 18 and 19: “surely they have never heard, have they?” and “surely Israel did not know, did they?”
Of course, Israel heard. “… Indeed they have;” Verse 18.
Of course, Israel knew.
“2 The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:2-3.
If there remained any doubt as to whether Israel heard and knew, Paul slams the door shut by his conclusion: “But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.” Verse 21.
One reason why the Gentiles “attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith” (Romans 9:30-31), and Israel did not, is that God caused the Gentiles to attain it in order to make Israel jealous.
“… “I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.” Verse 19.
“21 ‘They have made Me jealous with what is not God;
They have provoked Me to anger with their idols.
So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people;
I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation,
22 For a fire is kindled in My anger,
And burns to the lowest part of Sheol,
And consumes the earth with its yield,
And sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.” Deuteronomy 32:21-22.
We properly may wonder about God’s judgments and ways.
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33.
But, Scripture is clear enough and repeated enough such that we should not wonder about whether or not God is sovereign over salvation.
“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” Romans 9:18.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 