Paul is Jewish. Paul is a disciple of Jesus. Paul loves Judaism. Paul loves Jesus. In chapters 9, 10 and 11, Paul tries to speak about all of these things in away that is true to God's promises through Jesus, but also true to God's faithfulness to Israel as the chosen people.
One of Paul's statements is that God chooses the ones he chooses, and hardens the hearts of others, and who knows why. An imaginary opponent poses the question, "How can God blame someone for a hard heart, if he hardens the heart?" Good question.
Paul has nothing but praise for his Jewish brothers and sisters' zeal and how religious they are. He respects them, and doesn't really have any idea why most of his brothers and sisters have not joined him in the community of Jesus.
But, Paul asserts: God chooses. God chose Abraham, and Jacob, and Joseph. And God is choosing now, and is choosing Gentiles to also be a part of his chosen people. God is in charge, and somehow this is happening. That is the greatest good news of all. God chooses. God loves his people, both the ones he is choosing now and the ones he chose long ago.
And I believe, at the end of Romans 10, when Paul writes, "How can they hear without a preacher? How can they preach unless they are sent?" he is particularly speaking to Gentile Christians, to make sure they are speaking and sharing words and grace and faith that they have been given. Make sure you are good witnesses to the grace of love of Jesus, he is telling them.
He has an interesting thought: Maybe, if we make a really good community, and are really good witnesses of what life in Christ is like, we will make them jealous.
Paul's thoughts are to be continued, in chapter 11....
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