Why did the nation of Israel hate Paul?
Paul carried salvation to the Gentiles, preaching that they could enter fellowship with Israel's God through Jesus. When he used the word 'Gentile,' they cried out for his death, refusing to accept that God would bring another nation into His blessings. Their religious exclusivism left no room for Gentiles in their so-called religion.
Les explains that the crowd listened with rapt silence until Paul said the word 'Gentile.' At that word they lifted their voices and said, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth; it is not fit that he should live.' They reacted that way because Paul had dared to use the word Gentile. Les points out that when Paul went to the Gentile world with salvation based on that Jew, Jesus of Nazareth—who was a Jew—the nation of Israel detested him. Moses had foretold this, prophesying that another nation would come into fellowship with their God and that they would hate them for it. Les notes that the more the Gentiles succumbed to the Gospel, the more the Jewish people fought it, except for a few. He says it is no different today, citing Israel's Law of Return, which tries to keep out Christians or Jewish people who profess belief in Christ, because religiously they are hidebound and see no room for a Gentile in their so-called religion.
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.