Study of the Book of Romans A Theological Treatise

Transcription

1 Sunday, August 25, 2013: Lesson #42 Romans Chapter Ten Read: Romans 10:1-11 Introduction The 10 th chapter of Romans continues Paul s writing concerning his burden for his people, Israel. In the 9 th chapter Paul spoke of his burden for Israel, the position of Israel in the purpose of God and how that God used them to bring his purpose to pass despite their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. How that through God s tolerance of their rejection of the true way of salvation, he brought salvation to the believing Jew as well as the Gentiles. He answered the argument that the unbelieving Jew would make that his lost condition was the fault of God, who had made him thus and settled the argument by declaring in the end of the chapter that the reason that Israel was lost was because they had sought the righteousness of God by the works of the law and not by faith. He continues to build his case for salvation by faith in Christ by quoting from a variety of OT scriptures, showing and proving that Christ was preached in OT times for salvation. Also proving the harmony between the OT and NT scriptures. I. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. a. Paul evidently still had faith that if Israel would submit to God and believe on Jesus Christ that God would save them. Paul had a great love and burden for his kinsmen as was expressed in the beginning of chapter nine. II. Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. a. Zeal: to be hot, fervent b. Paul himself was zealous toward God before he was saved! 1. Acts 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 2. Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. c. The Jews were very zealous of God. 1. Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. d. Not according to Knowledge: full discernment III. Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. a. (YLT) Romans 10:3 for not knowing the righteousness of God, and their own righteousness seeking to establish, to the righteousness of God they did not submit. b. Ignorant: agno from the priv. a G, not, and no G 9, to perceive, understand. Not to recognize or know. 1

2 IV. c. Self Righteousness going about to establish their own righteousness 1. Going about: to seek 2. Their own: pertaining to self, that is, one's own; by implication private or separate d. Have not submitted themselves to the Righteousness of God Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. a. (YLT) Romans 10:4 For Christ is an end of law for righteousness to every one who is believing, b. end : rom a primary word tell to set out for a definite point or goal properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose Sunday, August 31, 2013 Old Testament & New Testament Harmony V. Paul begins to make his argument for the statement made in verse four: for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth, by quoting OT scriptures that the Jew would be familiar with. This teaches us about the harmony between the OT and NT scriptures! VI. Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. a. For: gár; a causative particle standing always after one or more words in a clause and expressing the reason for what has been before, affirmed or implied. b. MOSES describeth: This reference to Moses appeals to the Jew. c. The righteousness which is of the law: [Barnes] The righteousness which a perfect obedience to the Law of God would produce. That consisted in perfectly doing all that the Law required. d. The man which doeth those things shall live BY them: 1. [Barnes] The man who shall perform or obey what was declared in the previous statutes. Moses here had reference to all the commandments which God had given, moral and ceremonial. And the doctrine of Moses is what pertains to all laws, that he who shall render perfect and continued compliance with all the statutes made known, shall receive the reward which the Law promises. 2. Shell live BY them: BY [Strong] A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest 3. Hear Paul again: (Galatians 3:21) Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. e. Paul is quoting Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. 2

3 VII. Romans 10:6-9 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. a. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. (12) It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (13) Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (14) But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. b. Who shall ascend into heaven? (to bring Christ down from above) 1. This expression was used among the Jews to denote any difficult undertaking. To say that it was high as heaven, or that it was necessary to ascend to heaven to understand it, was to express the highest difficulty. c. Who shall descend into the deep? (that is to bring Christ again from the dead) 1. Man has no such ability. He is incapable to performing this task as well as he is incapable of keeping the law. d. He asks a question: But what sayeth it? referring to the righteousness of faith mentioned in verse six) e. He answers with a portion of the quote from Deuteronomy 0: 4: The is nigh thee, even in the mouth and in thy heart 1. In thy mouth and in thy heart: The meaning is, that the doctrine was already so familiar, and so well understood, that it was actually in their mouth, that is, their language, their common conversation. Were a subject of meditation and reflection. f. He explains in the end of verse eight with his own writing: That is, the word of faith which we preach! g. Romans 0:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. h. Note: The confession with the mouth and the believing in the heart cannot be separated! There can be no salvation where there is not a willingness to confess the Lord Jesus. There can be no true salvation where there is too much pride, or vanity, or love of the world, or fear of shame to confess him. 3

4 Sunday, September 08, 2013 (Paul continues his argument for the righteousness which is of faith VIII. IX. The context: Paul is still addressing the Jewish failure to submit unto the righteousness of God, their trying to establish their own righteousness and how that Christ is the END OF THE LAW FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS to the believer that he expressed in romans 10:3-4. We must go back to Romans 10:9 What does the word of faith say? (Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, AND shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ) a. Note the preposition AND: [Strong] kai (kahee) Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc. b. Go back to Romans 10:2 or I bear them record that they have a zeal of God but not according to KNOWLEDGE 1. The Jews were very zealous of GOD. (i.e. they were RELIGIOUS) 2. Jesus described them in Matthew 2 : as VIPERS! 3. READ MATTHEW 23:23-33 (READ ALL) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (29) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, (30) And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31) Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (32) Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. (33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? c. NOTE THIS AGAIN! The confession with the mouth and the believing in the heart cannot be separated! There can be no salvation where there is not a willingness to confess the Lord Jesus. There can be no true salvation where there is too much pride, or vanity, or love of the world, or fear of shame to confess him. d. Hear the words of Jesus: Matthew 7:21-27 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings 4

5 of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. e. Brethren, we cannot separate the DOING and the believing. You cannot be a believer and NOT be a doer of God s word! X. Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. a. Paul clarifies the order of salvation. or assigning a reason 1. Paul answers the question, how does what is stated in verse occur? b. Also see the command of Moses in Deuteronomy 30:16-18 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. (17) But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; (18) I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 1. How can a man LOVE GOD? Not without a change being made in his soul! 2. How can a man confess Christ as Lord? Not without a change is made in the soul! c. WHY? Paul answers in verse 11. XI. Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. a. Again the word for assigning a reason for what is stated in verses nine and ten. b. Ashamed: (Greek) kataisch n from kat G2 96, denoting ill, and aisch n G, To shame, make ashamed, confound, dishonor, disgrace. c. The quote is from Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 1. [Barnes] The Hebrew word yachiysh, from chosh, means properly to make haste and then to urge on; and then to be afraid, to flee. The idea is derived from one who is alarmed, and flees to a place of safety. The specific thought here is that of a man on whose house the tempest beats, and who apprehends that the foundation is insecure, and leaves it to seek a more safe position. The prophet says here, that the foundation on which Zion was reared would be so firm that if a man trusted to that he would have no cause of alarm, however, much the storms should beat around it. The same idea essentially is conveyed in the version of the Septuagint, and by Paul and Peter, where it is rendered shall not be ashamed, or confounded. That is, he shall have no reason to be ashamed of his confidence in the firm foundation; he 5

6 XII. XIII. shall not flee from it as a man does who puts his trust in that which fails him in the day of trial. d. Similar quote in 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1. Confounded here is same Greek word as ashamed. 2. NOTE here the context of Peter s writing: 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 3. Note the order of his statements: 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore (for this cause) also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 4. THEN he says: 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1. Precious: tim gen. tim s, fem. noun from t (n.f.), to pay honor, respect reverence, esteem. [Strong] a value, that is, money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables 5. Contrasted with the unbelievers in 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient 6. Paul and Peter are in HARMONY! The true believer is NOT ASHAMED! (Sister Evelyn) Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. a. Paul clarifies the whosoever in verse. Both jew and Gentile included! b. The same Lord: only one Lord! c. Is rich: to have abundance! d. Unto ALL! e. Call upon: to call upon for aid in one's own behalf Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. a. Paul quotes from Joel 2:32; And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. b. We find the fulfillment of this scripture in Acts 2:16-21 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19) And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (20) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord 6

7 XIV. come: (21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. c. This calling is from the heart; as stated in verse nine! d. The Roman Road of modern religion WILL NOT SAVE! One cannot simply read a prayer or repeat words or accept Christ and be saved. There MUST be a change in the heart and repentance must come from the heart toward God. Salvation is that personal! 1. The very reason that the roman road religion came to be was man s efforts to help God because of low numbers of conversions. We must not get in front of God in the work of the LORD!!!!!!!!! How will all this come to pass? Sunday, October 6, 2013 (Read Romans 10:14-17) (Remember to announce elections will be tonight in conference meeting) Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? a. This refers back to what Paul has just stated concerning salvation by faith in Christ and verse thirteen: whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. b. Paul again raises an objection that a Jew would make. [BARNES} The objection was, that they could not call on him in whom they had not believed; that they could not believe in him of whom they had not heard; and that this was arranged by God himself, so that a large part of the world was destitute of the gospel, and in fact did not believe; Rom_10: The objection had particular reference to the Jews; and the ground of injustice which a Jew would complain of, would be, that the plan made salvation dependent on faith, when a large part of the nation had not heard the gospel, and had had no opportunity to know it. 1. Paul will establish that they HAD HEARD and HAD NOT BELIEVED. c. How shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? d. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? e. How shall they hear without a preacher? 1. Preacher: k r tt fut. k r. To preach, to herald, proclaim. Generally, to proclaim, announce publicly. f. God s means of bringing the knowledge of the way of salvation to mankind has always been by preaching: Hear Paul s own words 1. 1 Corinthians 1:17-21 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 7

8 Sunday, October 13, 2013 g. It is the commission to the church: 1. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 2. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 3. Brother.. Ray: Preaching is teaching and teaching is preaching AMEN! 4. Special note: The commission to preach the gospel of Christ is to the CHURCH. The call to be a preacher of the gospel is to the individual male believer. The CHURCH collectively preaches the gospel by the participation of the church collective in the support (financial, physical, spiritual) teaching, nurturing, ordaining and sending forth those who are called of God by and through the direction and leadership of the Holy Spirit of God! Never let the layman say, I am not called to preach! 5. Note the church at Antioch: Acts 13:1-2 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. a. The work of the church through the leadership of God is VERY important to the preaching of the Gospel! b. The church is to support its preachers! Teach its preachers! Monitor its preachers! c. The church should NEVER limit the preacher concerning where he preaches! 6. The call to individuals in no way lessens the responsibility of the individual Christian to be a witness for the Lord and to declare the name of Jesus as the way of salvation to those whom he or she comes in contact with! Sunday, October 20, 2013 (Paul continues with Israel s rejection of Christ) XV. Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! a. How shall they preach e cept they be sent? 1. Divinely commissioned, sent forth by God himself. This was an admitted doctrine among the Jews, that a proclamation of a divine message must be made by one who was commissioned by God for that purpose. 2. God alone calls his preachers, his public criers: not Mom & Dad, Grandma and Pa. A. Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 8

9 B. Jeremiah 1:4-8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. C. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (the calling of Paul to preach the gospel) 3. b. Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 1. How beautiful: This confirms what had just been advanced in the objection - the importance and necessity of there being messengers of salvation 2. The feet: The herald running and declaring his message. The preacher is moving! 3. That preach and bring glad tidings: The message of God concerning Christ! c. Note that this statement is not to elevate the preacher, but his work is glorious! Sunday, October 27, 2013 XVI. XVII. XVIII. Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? a. Paul quotes Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isaiah goes on in Chapter to prophecy of Jesus and his suffering b. Paul is simply stating that there are those (among Israel specifically) that HAVE heard the message and yet rejected it. c. Note Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. a. Paul s point is established. The only way for people to be saved is by hearing the gospel and believing on Christ to the saving of their souls. Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. a. Have they not heard? Did Israel hear the word of God concerning Christ? Yes! Verily! b. Paul uses similar language as David regarding the heavens: Psalms 9:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 9

10 XIX. c. Paul made similar statements: 1. Colossians 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 2. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 3. Paul to Festus: Acts 26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. d. Romans 10:19 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. a. Paul goes farther. Did not Israel KNOW? Israel s knowledge of the savior!! b. Quote from Deuteronomy 2:2 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. 1. Note the conte t of Duet Chapter 2. It is all about Israel s rejection of God and taking up with false gods, and his response to them. 2. Verse 32: which are not a people: whom the Israelites considered not a people, the Gentiles. 3. A foolish nation: Hebrew: stupid, wicked. Greek: void of understanding. c. Israel s rejection of the savior and the bringing in of the Gentiles. d. BARNES: God says that they had provoked him, or excited his indignation, by worshipping what was not God, that is, by idols; and he, in turn, would excite their envy and indignation by showing favors to those who were not regarded as a people; that is, to the Gentiles. They had shown favor, or affection, for what was not God, and by so doing had provoked him to anger; and he also would show favor to those whom they regarded as no people, and would thus excite their anger. In this passage the great doctrine which Paul was defending is abundantly established - that the Gentiles were to be brought into the favor of God; and the cause also is suggested to be the obstinacy and rebellion of the Jews. It is not clear that Moses had particularly in view the times of the gospel; but he affirms a great principle which is applicable to those times - that if the Jews should be rebellious, and prove themselves unworthy of his favor, that favor would be withdrawn, and conferred on other nations. The effect of this would be, of course, to excite their indignation. This principle the apostle applies to his own times; and affirms that it ought to have been understood by the Jews themselves. 10

11 XX. XXI. XXII. e. The favor of God: Special note here. God s choice of the Israelite nation to carry the word of God concerning Christ was the great favor he had bestowed upon them. They HAD the Gospel! They had the presence of the Lord! This brings great light to the state of our nation today. The US has been blessed of God!! A Christian nation! The principles upon which we were founded were of God! Romans 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. a. Quote from Isaiah 65:1-2 I am sought of them that asked not for me; (Gentiles) I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. (2) I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, (Israel) which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; Romans 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. a. READ ALL: ISAIAH 65:1-7, (Israel made their choice to reject the savior) b. The words of Jesus: Matthew 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. c. Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. This leads us into Romans Chapter eleven and we must study chapter eleven with chapter ten in mind. Actually if you remove the chapter division between chapters ten and eleven you can see that the subject matter does not change. Nine, Ten and Eleven are one! 11