HEAR AND UNDERSTAND

Romans 10:16-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Salvation is for Everyone

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

“The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,

“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,

“I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”

21 But regarding Israel, God said,

“All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

The Apostle Paul asks two questions about Israel. Have they heard? Did they understand? His answer to both questions was yes but still God points to their disobedience and their rebelliousness.

So hearing and understanding are not enough. One must also receive the message in their heart and be willing to change.

As Paul’s prayer (Romans 10:1) continued for Israel, so must we continue to pray for lost souls … for the “… disobedient and rebellious.”