Les Feldick Bible Study

What did Israel want according to Romans 11:7?

According to Romans 11:7, Israel wanted all the things promised in the Old Testament. They should have recognized the promises and the coming King, but they refused to search the Scriptures and remained in unbelief. Their desire was for the promised things, yet the context emphasizes that unbelief kept them from knowing what God had already revealed.

Les explains that in Romans chapter 11 verse 7, Israel is the nation that wanted all the things promised in the Old Testament. Earlier, when Jesus came presenting Himself as the King of Israel, Israel should have known from the Old Testament, but they did not know because they were unbelieving and refused to search the Scriptures. The priests had to dig into the Old Testament to find where the King would be born, though they should have known immediately. Les says the same problem appears in Romans 11: Israel should have known, but they refused and remained in unbelief. The Old Testament contains two parallel lines of prophecy, like railroad tracks, including the suffering Savior; Israel wanted the promised things, yet unbelief marked them.

Romans 11:7

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

More Questions

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.

Who is 'the election' in Romans 11:7 that obtained what Israel sought?

In Romans 11:7, 'the election' refers to those who were believing and accepting the gospel — they obtained what Israel sought, while the rest were blinded.

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.