Romans 10:1-3, Zeal Not According to Knowledge
Romans 10:1-3 (KJV) 1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
The Apostle Paul highlighted a perennial error in the thought life of the Jews that cost them dearly in their zeal for draw close to God. It was not according to God’s way as revealed in God’s Word. It is like the case in the Garden of Eden when Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of the field and was rejected. Abel brought an animal sacrifice, according to God’s stipulation, that pointed to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross and was accepted.
The Jews rejected salvation or righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. They were confounded, like Cain, found in error. God did not leave them without hope and help but sent His Son to save them. They had a visible picture of godliness in Jesus Christ. They saw the miracles. They heard His teaching. They experienced His power when He walked the highway of Israel. Yet, they missed the point. An impossibility, come to think of it, yet they were truly in error. They would not repent of their misunderstanding of the truth.
The Apostle Paul prayed sincerely that His people will be enlightened just as he was on the road to Damascus. He recalled his own blindness. God was merciful to him to open his spiritual eyes. He was blinded by the bright light until God healed him. He understood that Jesus is God. Jesus restored his sight.
May God grant us patience to pray and intercede and share the love of God in Christ Jesus especially during this holy week leading to Good Friday as we remember Jesus died to free us from the bondage of sin. And Easter Sunday when Jesus rose victoriously from the dead to give us eternal life! Amen.