Romans 11:7-10
(7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
(9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
(10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Paul then discussed what “a remnant chosen by grace” out of Israel meant for the people as a whole. The situation was ironic. The Jews zealously sought to be accepted by God on the basis of works and the righteousness of the Law (cf. 10:2-3). However, they were not accepted by God; only the elect were, because of God’s sovereign choice by grace. The others were hardened (cf. 11:25). What it means to be hardened is seen from Paul’s explanatory and supporting quotations. The first is taken from both Deuteronomy 29:3-4 and Isaiah 29:10, and indicates that hardening involves spiritual drowsiness (stupor is the rendering of katanyxeos, “a numbness resulting from a sting”), blindness, and deafness (cf. Isa. 6:9-10). The second quotation (in Rom. 11:9-10) is of Psalm 69:22-23, which predicts that the very things which should have been the source of nourishment and blessing to Israel (table means their blessings from the hand of God, which should have led them to Christ; cf. Gal. 3:24) became the occasion for their rejection of God (a snare and a trap, a stumbling block; cf. Rom. 9:32-33) and God’s judgment (retribution) on them. Because they refused to receive God’s truth (cf. Isa. 6:9-10; John 5:40) their backs will be bent under the weight of guilt and punishment forever.
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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