“They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” Romans 9:4
September 28, 2026
Once again the Jews and the nation of Israel are on full display. It’s amazing that such a small nation (about 10 million) attracts chilling anger and hatred. In the apostle Paul’s magisterial treatment of the gospel of Jesus Christ a question arises which must be answered. Why was Israel set aside? Has God’s saving purpose toward the Jewish nation failed? The answer is given in Romans 9-11. The first part of the answer is Israel’s election (ch. 9). Do we grieve over the Jews spiritual condition? Paul was willing to be damned if only Israel might be saved. Do we have this kind of love for the lost, Jew and Gentile? We cannot die for someone else’s sin but we can love as Jesus loved. Israel had stumbled over Christ and rejected Him. Israel has been given many advantages. The first mentioned is their privilege of adoption as sons. It was they through whom God would bring salvation to the world. This does not mean that the nation of Israel is to be given special privileges on the international stage. It means that prayer for the Jews to believe in their Messiah must be high on our list of priorities.
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Reflection:
“O Sovereign God, thank you for giving us the Messiah and Savior through Israel. Stir my heart to have greater love for those who are lost.”