What happened to Israel?

intro

The theme of this chapter is Israel’s present rejection.

You would think that Israel as a nation would have been eagerly expecting the arrival of their Messiah and been prepared to receive Him.

For centuries they had known the Old Testament prophecies and had practiced the Law, which was “a schoolmaster” to lead them to Christ.

God had sought to prepare the nation, but when Jesus Christ came, they rejected Him.

in fact the wonderful gospel of John opens with the tradgic line:

John 1:11 AV

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

How do we explain this tradgey? How is it that a people waiting for the messiah would reject him?

Paul gives several reasons why Israel rejected their Messiah.

He came in a way they did not anticipate

God did not entertain the expectation of sinful people.

The Jews expected a miliraty leader who would come in power and glory. Instead they got a baby, wrapped in swaddeling clothes in a manger.

Not much has changed.

When speaking to Athiests about God, their response is always trhe same:

‘If there is a God let him showmusel”, Or if God wanted to make his prsenece known, then just show himslf in the sky, just once and all will believe.

But God will not jump to requests of wicked men then and He will not do so now.

They did not feel a need for salvation.

Romans 10:1 AV

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

There was a time when Paul would have agreed with his people, for he himself opposed the Gospel and considered Jesus Christ an impostor.

Israel considered the Gentiles in need of salvation, but certainly not the Jews.

Israel would have been happy for political salvation from Rome, but she did not feel she needed spiritual salvation from her own sin.

Have people changed so little?

Today people look for aid in all areas expect spiritual. they look to the govermenet for free this or free that. they look to politictions and gurus.

Yes we need help, we need education, jobs, houses, medical care - but what aboiut salvation? no, we are happy in our sins.

They were zealous for God

Romans 10:2 AV

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Ever since Israel returned to their land from Babylonian Captivity, the nation had been cured of idolatry.

In the temple and the local synagogues, only the true God was worshiped and served, and only the true Law was taught.

Paul himself had been zealous for the Law and the traditions.

Galatians 1:13–14 AV

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

But their zeal was not based on knowledge; it was heat without light.

Sad to say, many religious people today are making the same mistake.

They think that their good works and religious deeds will save them, when actually these practices are keeping them from being saved.

Certainly many of them are sincere and devout, but sincerity and devotion will never save the soul.

Romans 3:20 AV

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

A jew may spend 100 hours a week at the waling wall in devotion but it will noit bring him neredr to God nor incline God;’s ear.

A man may go to church 3 times a week and twice on sunday and it will not bring him closer to God nor incline God’s ear.

It is in relationship but requirmenets that God hears us.

They were proud and self-righteous

Romans 10:3 AV

3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Israel was ignorant of God’s righteousness, not because they had never been told, but because they refused to learn.

There is an ignorance that comes from lack of opportunity, but Israel had had many opportunities to be saved.

I may be ignorant of what it is like to climb mt everest, bercause i never had the oppertunity. But i cannot claim ignorance of climbing Stellawood hill, i climb it everyday.

In their case, it was an ignorance that stemmed from willful, stubborn resistance to the truth.

They would not submit to God.

The godly Presbyterian preacher, Robert Murray , was passing out tracts one day and handed one to a well-dressed lady. She gave him a haughty look and said, “Sir, you must not know who I am!”

In his kind way, Murray replied, “Madam, there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will not make any difference who you are!”

God does not care who you are. Why? Because God knows what you are.

You are dust, and your life is a favor, and while you have had power on earth given to you by man, you have no power or influence over God. Only 1 has the Fathers ear - Jesus Christ His Son.

They misunderstood their own Law

Romans 10:4–13 AV

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Everything about the Jewish religion pointed to the coming Messiah—their sacrifices, priesthood, temple services, religious festivals, and covenants.

Their Law told them they were sinners in need of a Saviour.

But instead of letting the Law bring them to Christ, they worshiped their Law and rejected their Saviour.

The Law was a signpost, pointing the way.

But it could never take them to their destination.

The Law cannot give righteousness; it only leads the sinner to the Saviour who can give righteousness.

So let us ask some very important questions about Israel and the church.

1: Is Israel still God’s chosen people?

Yes, but only in the sense that through them God brought the messiah into the world, they were chosen by God for that purpose, and by God’s sovergn grace they did.

John 4:22 AV

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But they are not God’s chosen peole as far as election and salvation is concerned.

2: Is Israel saved?

No.

Romans 10:1 AV

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

They are as lost as the heathen, all their devotion is worthless.

3: Is Israel and the church on the same level? - not at all, the church is saved, israel is not.

4: Has the church replaced israel?

No, it is a matter of dispensation. The dispenstion of the law and israel has ended, and the dispensation of grace and the church began on pentecost.

Ephesians 3:2 AV

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

5: So what is the relationship between the word, Israel and the church?

The world is the land that god can use for whatever his purpose wants.

Israel was the house he built on the land as a place to make himself known, the church is the bride that he loves with all his heart and who loves him back.