Why did Israel not get the King and the Kingdom they were seeking?
Israel failed to obtain the King and Kingdom because of unbelief: they would not acknowledge that the sin problem had to be dealt with first. They wanted only a ruling king, not a redeeming Savior. Therefore they rejected and crucified Him, though the elect among them believed.
Les explains that Israel wanted the King and the Kingdom, but they did not get what they were seeking because in unbelief they would not reckon the fact that they had to deal first with the sin problem. They needed a redeeming Savior, not just a ruling king, and that is why they did not want Him. Les gives the illustration of the conquering hero they expected—one riding in on a big white steed, prancing like a show horse. Instead, He came into Jerusalem on a donkey, not even a grown one, and that blew their mind. No king comes in on a donkey; they expected a great white stallion. So they rejected Him and crucified Him, but not all. The election obtained it, while the rest were blinded. Les identifies the elect as believers, Jews who came to salvation and are in the Body of Christ with the rest of us.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
More Questions
Did Israel as a nation obtain what it sought?
Israel as a nation, not as individuals, did not obtain what it was seeking.
What does Romans 11:7 say Israel sought but did not obtain?
Paul in Romans 11:7 confirms that Israel did not obtain what it sought—the king and the kingdom—which it was looking for throughout the Old Testament.
What was Israel seeking but did not obtain according to Romans 11:7?
Israel did not obtain what it was seeking; what Israel sought was the King and the Kingdom.