Romans 10:19, Restoration of the Backslidden

Romans 10:19 (KJV) ¹⁹  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

Israel is precious in the sight of God. God created and chosen Israel to bear His name out of all the nations of the world. Israel was the apple of His eye. The privileges given to Israel were tremendous. They had God so nigh to them. Yet, they forsook their God by going after strange gods. This is Israel’s history. Time and again they rejected their God.

The Apostle Paul quotes the prediction of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:21 “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.” Israel would be such a rebellious people that God’s anger would be kindled against them. As a nation, they have crucified their Messiah, Jesus Christ. As a result of their utter rebellion, God’s grace would come upon the Gentiles. The Jews by their privilege position as God’s people views the Gentiles as foolish and senseless people who does not know the living and true God. As Israel witnesses the salvation of Gentiles, may it provoke them to jealousy. It is meant to jolt them to come back to God.

Dear brethren, pray for the people of Israel that God may open their spiritual eyes to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Pray for the backslidden Christians from your circle of friends that they may come back to God. Extend an invitation for them to come back to church. Amen.