What was Israel's real problem in missing the Messiah?
Israel's real problem was unbelief: they sought righteousness by the law rather than by faith, and could not believe what God said. Though they followed after the law of righteousness, they did not attain it because they sought it not by faith. Faith is the absolute requirement for pleasing God.
Les explains that Israel's problem was that they could not believe what God said. They followed after the law of righteousness, but they did not attain to it because they sought it not by faith. By contrast, Gentiles who had not been following after righteousness attained it because they had faith. Les says this is what the Jew even today cannot comprehend. He ties this to two absolutes: without the shedding of blood there is no remission, and without faith it is impossible to please Him. That was Israel's problem. When Gentiles heard the Apostle Paul preaching, they could believe it, and Israel just shook their head. Les adds that we are not that much different today.