Romans 10:16-21 - Homiletics

Israel's unbelief.

The more highly the apostle prized the gospel, the more sincerely and compassionately did he lament the folly and the guilt of those who deliberately or carelessly rejected it. Especially was his heart stirred to sorrow, when he observed how generally the glad tidings of life in Christ were rejected by his "kinsmen according to the flesh." Both upon the personal ground of relationship and association, and upon the general ground that Israel's greater privileges involved greater responsibilities, Paul grieved over the want of faith in Christ manifested by so many of his countrymen.

I. THE FACT OF ISRAEL 'S UNBELIEF .

1. It had been predicted. In that remarkable anticipation of the sufferings and the glory of the Messiah which has won for Isaiah the designation "the evangelical prophet," there occurs an intimation that the Messiah should himself be despised and rejected of men, and that the news of his salvation should be disregarded by many for whose benefit it was intended.

2. Fact agreed with prophecy. Many sons of Abraham manifested Abraham's faith. Of the early professors and preachers of Christianity, a large proportion were Hebrews. Yet, although individuals welcomed the gospel, the nation as a whole, who by their leaders and representatives had crucified and slain the Lord Jesus, certainly turned away from the message of salvation, which, after his ascension, his apostles urgently and faithfully proclaimed. They did not all hearken to the report and obey its summons.

II. THE INEXCUSABLE GUILT OF ISRAEL 'S UNBELIEF . This is made apparent by several considerations. It appears:

1. From the terms of salvation. "Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." No terms could be more righteous, more reasonable, more in accordance with the character of God or the necessities of men. Compliance with them involves no mental or social eminence, and is equally possible to those of all nations among men.

2. From the general diffusion of the tidings. Like the very light of the sun, like the voiceless witness of the heavens, the good news of salvation soon penetrated into the remotest and darkest places. Even the distant "sons of the dispersion" could not complain that they had been neglected. For the disciples of Christ, so far from keeping the good news to themselves, made it a point of conscience and religion to communicate to their neighbours the tidings of the advent and the mediation of the Son of God; whilst many, devoting themselves to the work of evangelization, deemed no journey too long to undertake and no perils too formidable to endure in the fulfilment of this sacred commission.

3. Even from the fact that many of the less-favoured Gentiles came to believe. It had been foretold by Moses and by the prophet Isaiah that the privileges which the Jews would despise and refuse should be offered to and accepted by the Gentiles. This came to pass, And it cut the apostle to the heart to remark that his kinsmen were rejecting blessings which the heathen to whom he preached were eagerly welcoming and receiving.

4. From the forbearance and gracious invitations of a heavenly Father. Again the apostle has recourse to the language of prophecy. How affecting is the representation here given of the patience, long-suffering, and kindness of God! He "willeth not that any should perish." Although the people oppose themselves, he does not soon weary of his invitations. He spreads forth his arms, as willing to welcome those who will return from their wanderings and be reconciled to him. So he stands, as it were, all the day long. Still, though he has long proffered grace in vain, the hands which might have been raised to smite are extended to rescue and to bless.