The Hardening of Israel

Bible Text: Romans 11:7-10 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2004, Romans

INTRO
Paul has been dealing with the important question stated in 11:1 as to whether or not God has rejected His people. The clear answer is that HE HAS NOT REJECTED THEM TOTALLY OR COMPLETELY, FOR THE REMNANT IS PROOF OF THAT.
But what about those who were not chosen to be a part of the remnant? What is there status before God? Has God rejected them?

I. ISRAEL’S FAILURE (v. 7).

A. The Seeking of Israel.
What is Israel seeking for? Go back to Rom. 9:30-32; 10:3-4. They were seeking to be righteous before God.

B. The Failure to Obtain by Israel.
Why? Because they were seeking to establish their own righteousness by the works of the law (9:31-32; 10:3).

II. THE REMNANT’S SUCCESS (v. 7b).

A. The chosen did obtain the blessing.
What do they obtain? RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH, cf. 9:30.

B. Why?
Faith is a gift of God. It is implied here but also see Rom. 12:3.

III. THE REST OF ISRAEL IS HARDENED.

A. The hardening of hearts by God in the Bible.

Ex. 4:21;14:17; Deut. 2:30; Josh. 11:20; 1Sam. 16:14; 2Sam. 17:14; 1Kings 12:15; Psa. 105:25; Is. 19:14; Rom. 1:28; Rom. 9:18; 2Th. 2:11; Rev. 17:17.

B. The hardening of Israel, His chosen and Old Covenant people.

Is. 6:9-10; 44:18; 63:17; Jn. 12:37-40; Acts 28:26.

1) God never hardens an innocent person, always sinners.

2) The biblical nature of this hardening. Paul employs all three of the main divisions of the Hebrew canon: the law, prophets, and the writings.

a) 1st quotation from Deut. 29:4 and Isa. 29:10 in v. 8.

“spirit of stupor” (Isa. 29:10)

“blind eyes, deaf ears” –

b) 2nd quotation from Ps. 69:22-23 in vv. 9-10.

“table become a snare and a trap”

“Bend their backs forever.”

3) The consequences of this hardening. This is a hardening unto damnation.

IV. GOD’S DEALINGS WITH THE CHURCH.

A. This hardening cannot occur to God’s New Covenant people.

B. The church should nevertheless fear God.

a) Believers can experience divine discipline

b) Believers can experience spiritual desertions.

C. The preciousness of grace to the chosen.
Conclusion