The Danger of Stubbornness
Thinking about Romans 10:18-21.
But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "THEIR SOUND HAS GONE OUT TO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD." But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I WILL PROVOKE YOU TO JEALOUSY BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT A NATION, I WILL MOVE YOU TO ANGER BY A FOOLISH NATION." But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME; I WAS MADE MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME." But to Israel he says: "ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND CONTRARY PEOPLE." (Romans 10:18-21)
The Jews did not believe the gospel of Christ. They had rejected the good news Paul proclaimed.
Why was that?
Paul goes back to the Scriptures to provide the answer for Israel’s rejection of God’s word.
Did Israel Not Hear the Gospel?
Surely Israel rejected the gospel simply because they had never heard it, right?
Not at all. Paul quoted Psalm 19:4 to point out that the gospel had gone out into the whole world.
The good news about Jesus (“the word of Christ”) had traveled throughout the Roman world by way of the proclamation of evangelists (see Romans 1:8; Colossians 1:6). The Jews had heard and understood the message, but they rejected it. The Gentiles had heard the same message, but they accepted it! - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 370
So Israel’s rejection of the gospel wasn’t because they hadn’t heard it - they certainly had.
Did Israel Not Understand the Gospel?
Okay, so Israel’s rejection of the gospel wasn’t because they hadn’t heard it - but maybe they just hadn’t understood it?
Paul declares that not only had the Jews heard the gospel, but they had also understood it. He quotes Deuteronomy 32:21 to support the fact that they had understood the gospel.
Israel’s failure to obey the gospel was not due to their ignorance, just as Deuteronomy 32:21 proved. That passage indicates ancient Israel had also acted with clear knowledge, definitely understanding what they were doing when they went after pagan gods, provoking God to jealously. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 371
This is a bold statement by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul. Israel’s rejection of the gospel was something they did even though they heard and understood it.
Israel Was Disobedient and Stubborn.
So why did Israel reject the gospel?
Paul quoted Isaiah 65:1-2 to point out the problem - disobedience and stubborn rebellion.
Paul’s point in quoting Isaiah 65:1 was that, like their forefathers, the Jews had rejected God. Because of their stubborn hearts, another group had sought and found God, namely the Gentiles. In no way, Paul said, could God be found at fault for revealing Himself to the detested outsiders, who, in the Jews’ opinion, did not deserve to be a part of God’s people. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 371
God is pictured as holding His hands out to welcome and embrace the Jewish people - but they refused to come to Him through His Son.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)
A Warning for Christians.
The Hebrews writer warned Christians not to follow the disobedient, stubborn example of the nation of Israel.
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:12-15)
Stubbornness and disobedience are not merely problems among those who have never obeyed the gospel. These things can be a plague among God’s own people as well.
We are urged to hold on to our faith in Christ (Revelation 2:10) and to keep obeying Him (John 14:15).
A stubborn resistance to God’s word causes unbelief and rejects the gospel of Christ.
Stubbornness is simply self absorption and not caring about others.
Jesus said God’s commandments are based on love to God, and love to our neighbour.
When asked “Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Then Jesus elaborated on these two great laws by saying) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:35-40) Again in Mark 12:28-34, when talking about these two commandments, Jesus concluded with a similar statement: There is no other commandment greater than these.
All the commandments and laws that God provides in his written word, show us how to love God and others, with depth and understanding. And, if you will please read Mark 12:28-34, you will see that some of the leaders of the Jews also understood this, for Jesus said to the scribe: You are not far from the kingdom of God.
This is why Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”- the truth of God is to give us his good and loving way of life to live, that will promote peace and love throughout the world. We need to understand that while the Ten Commandments are important, they are not the foundation of the Bible, for love is the foundation of the Ten Commandments. Indeed, love toward God and neighbour is the foundation of all the laws, of which there are over 600 in scripture.
Yet, as shown in the parable of the Good Samaritan, to show love to your neighbour through mercy and compassion doesn’t take an in-depth understanding of the 600+ laws, nor esoteric knowledge of the mysteries of God. Even a Samaritan can understand the need for mercy, love and compassion! (Luke 10:25-37) And because he did show mercy, the Samaritan was on the path to eternal life, whereas the Priest and Levite (even with their great and detailed knowledge of the revealed word of God) were not!
On-time message.