Romans 10:19–21

Israel's unbelief

Tactfully Paul pursues yet another possibility with his readers. Could it be that the Jews didn’t grasp the meaning of the gospel they heard?

Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;

I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

20 And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Did Israel not understand? Paul answers that question with a line of logic that proceeds from the lesser to the greater. The apostle’s point is that if even the lightly regarded Gentiles could understand and accept the gospel message, then surely the more highly favored Jewish nation should also be able to grasp it.

Paul develops his line of logic by quoting Scripture. In Deuteronomy chapter 32, Moses cautions Israel against forsaking the Lord who has led them out of Egypt. Through Moses, God warns them that he will punish any unfaithfulness to him by allowing Israel’s heathen neighbors to gain the advantage over them. That is the frame of reference when God threatens in verse 21, “I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

By comparison to their own most-favored-nation status, Israel tended to view Gentiles as “those who are not a nation.” And because God had chosen to reveal himself directly to Israel and even to record his holy will in written form for them at Mount Sinai, Israel could easily feel that they had the spiritual advantage. By comparison, Gentiles appeared to be “a nation that has no understanding.”

But lo and behold, these supposedly second-rate Gentiles have understood and accepted the gospel. Speaking about the Gentiles, God says through Isaiah, “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me” (Isaiah 65:1).

The less favored Gentiles have understood and accepted the message, but concerning Israel, with all its advantages, the prophet must regretfully report, “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people” (verse 2).

Paul’s question was, “Did Israel not understand?” The inescapable conclusion he has come to is that if even the Gentiles could understand the message and be saved, then surely Israel could also. Sadly, he must conclude that his compatriots are a disobedient and obstinate people who deliberately refuse to accept what they have heard and understood.