Romans 10:18-21 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
The people of Israel had been told that God’s plan of salvation included all people of the earth, but they had become prideful in their place as God’s people. This gave them a false sense of security. Paul quotes from the Old Testament (Psalm 19:4; Deut. 32:21; Isaiah 65:1; Isaiah 65:2) to support his idea that Israel has missed out on God’s plan by refusing to accept the gospel. Including the Gentiles in salvation will make Israel jealous and want to join in with them. The Jews of Paul’s day were like the ancient Israelites who refused to listen to God and instead, got caught up in idolatry. The idolatry of the first century Jews was of self, pride, self-righteousness, trying to keep the law but missing out on the heart of the law. Paul’s words in this chapter are very strong and should cause some discomfort in those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Paul’s deep purpose seems to be evangelistic. He wants the Jews to realize their faulty thinking and choose the path of Jesus. This is perhaps the type of presentation he would have given in the many synagogues he visited.
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