Why did the ignorance of Israel keep God from having to destroy them for killing Jesus?
Israel acted in ignorance, not knowing they were crucifying the Lord of glory. Because their sin was not willful knowledge of who Jesus was, God could forgive them instead of destroying the nation. Had they known, Scripture says they would not have crucified Him, and God would have had to destroy them.
Les explains that Jesus pleaded Israel's ignorance from the cross when He said, "Father, forgive them," because "they know not what they do." Peter likewise charged that they killed Him but were ignorant, not knowing what they were doing. Les calls this God's loophole for the nation of Israel: had they known who they were killing, God would have had to destroy them. Paul confirms the same truth in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, speaking of God's hidden wisdom, which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. This ignorance applied not only to Israel but also to Rome, the Gentiles.