Romans 11:7-8, What a Relief!
Romans 11:7-8 (KJV) 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.
The Jews have sought salvation futilely with the greatest zeal and persistence by their own works of wisdom. They failed miserably in their endeavour to keep the law to find salvation. That being the case, all is not lost because God has chosen a remnant amidst gross spiritual blindness in Israel.
In verse 8, the Apostle Paul cited Isaiah 29:10 to highlight this sad state of blindness in Israel, For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Although Israel was spiritually blinded in deep spiritual slumber yet God did choose some in Israel to be saved. All is not lost for Israel. God is still at work in the lives of His chosen people. He has awakened some to the truth through the gospel rescuing these ones out spiritual darkness. What a relief indeed to know that God is still actively working out His good plan of salvation.
There is a Christian praying for the salvation of the spouse and the spouse’s entire family that is not saved. Can God save? It seemed so impossible that God will save the family from the conversation with this Christian. I take encouragement from our text that there is hope with God and we sought to ask God for mercy upon the unsaved spouse and family. Amen.