The Jew’s Rejection of God - Romans 10

One thing that has always fascinated me is the complete rejection of Jesus by the Jews. I just have always struggled to understand why an entire race of people, people who according to Paul in Romans 3:2, “were entrusted with the oracles of God.” The Jews had the scriptures and they were waiting on the Messiah. In John 4:22 Jesus said, “Salvation is from the Jews” and throughout His teaching He taught that the Gospel was to come first to them. They were God’s chosen people yet they rejected Christ when He came. How in the world does that happen?

No one took the rejection of Christ by the Jews harder than Paul. Romans 9 ends with Paul speaking about Israel’s rejection of Christ and as chapter 10 opens he expresses his desire for them in verse 1staating that it is his “heart’s desire and prayer to God for them that they may be saved.” Paul then begins to explain their problem with accepting the truth.

The first problem lies in something that should be a good thing. They had zeal for God, but that zeal was flawed. In verse 2 Paul tells us their zeal was “not according to knowledge.” There are many groups of people today who have a zeal for God yet they also have zeal without knowledge. The truth is that there is a thing called religion but religion is not what following Jesus is about. Religion is following a set of rules or doctrines and by that effort thinking those acts will save you. The Bible says differently. Like the Jews, many people think traditions and good deeds will get them to heaven. Romans 3:20 says “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

The second problem is tied to the first. Paul says this in Romans 10:3, “For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” When people, be they OT Jews or modern NT Gentiles, establish their own rules and standards, then pride is what drags them away from the truth of the Gospel. They become self-righteous.

Paul explains in verses 4-13 of Romans 10. It is the old, old story of the simple truth that salvation is by faith and faith alone. The Jews had the law and they had the prophecies but instead of listening to them they chose to take pride in their adherence to the law as the basis of their salvation. People are still doing this today. The problem is that in reality no one keeps the law. Even if they did in a literal sense Jesus tells us that the real problem lies within our hearts for they are wicked and evil.

Paul then gives the answer to this problem in Romans 10:14-17. The answer is that faith comes through the Word and someone must preach the Word of God to the unsaved, be they Jew or Gentile. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” - Romans 10:17.

Paul wraps up Romans 10 with a look at the results of the Jew’s rejection of God. First of all he removes any doubt Israel might lay claim to in Romans 10:18 saying, “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.””  This truth applies to many who are not Jews as well. The Gospel is out there to most places. But even to the people it has yet to reach Paul already removed their excuse back in Romans 1:20 explaining that God has revealed Himself to all people through the creation. Romans 3:23 stated clearly that all of us have sinned and fall short.

But as always Romans continues to be a good news/bad news letter. Chapter 10 finishes with good news as Paul quotes from Isaiah 65. Though directed at Israel these words apply to all of us. Listen to what God said speaking through the prophet Isaiah.

Romans 10:20-21
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.”  But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

This is good news to all who have yet to call on Christ. God’s hands are open “to a disobedient and contrary people.”  It’s not too late. But you must put away any idea that you have to do some work. The Gospel is open to all. The only prerequisite is that you must be a sinner. If like the Jews you don’t think you need the righteousness of Christ, then you have a huge problem. But God is patient. He is calling you right now wherever you are. Why not call on Him and let Him do the work.