“So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”” Romans 11:7-8 NLT
My heart goes out to the Jewish people, the called and chosen people of God! It is so heartbreaking to see so many struggling on the spiritual spectrum of Judaism. I know some who are closer to orthodox (strict, pure Judaic Law) and most who are just Jewish by heritage and only dabble in a few of the holidays and celebrations of their faith. However, neither believe that Jesus IS the messiah they so longed for.
And, all over the world, the Jewish people still hold out hope that their promised messiah will come to rule, reign and position them back to the glory days of David and his son Solomon. They still look for a military style leader who will bring peace and prosperity to their people. Even though this was not the deal they made with God, it’s what they want from him.
I asked our Jewish tour guides while in Israel. What do the people of Israel think about the messiah after all these years have gone by? He said, most have given up on the idea of an actual physical messiah and have decided it’s a theoretical messiah because Israel has accumulated much more power, wealth and certainly intelligence and wisdom. They had nothing, no land or central identity until 1948 and now they are not just “a” nation they are a powerful little nation.
Israel has made a modern paradise in what used to be a desert! They are leaders in technology, science, military weaponry, healthcare and especially agriculture. Israel is full of geniuses. So, in a way, they got what they wanted. But anyone who has traveled to Israel can see, their hearts and minds are still hard and blinded towards their own God. I can hear their lament even in their popular social status in the U.S. as media moguls and comedians.
Paul reminds the churches in Rome, God is not finished with his people! He writes, “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it” vs 11-12. I am forever grateful for their history, their story and passion for the laws of God. They brought us Gentiles to the knowledge of God and Jesus our rescuer came through their legacy and culture. I just want them to see their messiah so we can all rejoice together as family.
Prayer
Dad,
I can’t wait for them to see you and embrace your ways and your plans that you had all along. I can’t wait for them to see and receive the Messiah, the sent one. As the end draws near I feel the dynamic tension and excitement for that to happen. I am so thankful for the rich heritage and for protecting Your word, the Old Testament from the beginning so that I can know you and the story of what I was adopted into the their faith, the root of Jesse, the salvation through the Jesus, the messiah.