No, God is not finished with the nation of Israel.
Although Israel has been set aside for the past 1900+ years, Scripture and Les Feldick's teaching confirm that God will one day return to fulfill His covenant promises with them. Paul's burden for his kinsmen and the whole argument of Romans 9-11 demonstrate that Israel's rejection is not permanent.
Romans 11:1 — Paul directly asks if God has cast away His people and answers with an emphatic 'God forbid,' indicating God is not finished with Israel.
The Bible, particularly in Romans 9-11, addresses Israel's place in God's plan. Paul opens Romans 9 with a heartfelt lament for his fellow Israelites, expressing deep sorrow and even a wish to be accursed for their sake (Romans 9:1-3). He reminds readers that the Israelites are God's covenant people, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, and the promises (Romans 9:4-5). In Romans 10, Paul explains that Israel, being ignorant of God's righteousness, stumbled at the stumbling stone, but this stumbling is not final. Romans 10:12 declares that there is no difference between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. Romans 11 poses the crucial question: 'I say then, Hath God cast away his people?' The answer is a resounding 'God forbid' (Romans 11:1). Paul then argues that through Israel's fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles, but Israel's rejection is only temporary. He uses the olive tree metaphor, stating that natural branches (Israel) were broken off, and wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in, yet they can be grafted in again (Romans 11:17-24). The chapter concludes with the mystery that 'blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved' (Romans 11:25-26).
Les Feldick teaches that God is absolutely not through with the nation of Israel. He emphasizes that despite the common belief in much of Christendom—including Roman Catholics and Protestants—that God has rejected Israel because they crucified their Messiah, the Bible is clear that this is not the case. Israel has been set aside for the last 1900-2000 years, blinded to the gospel, and has suffered catastrophe (loss of temple, homeland, the Holocaust) because of their rejection. Yet, God's covenant promises remain. Les points out that Paul's deep sorrow for his people in Romans 9 shows Israel's continuing importance. He uses Romans 9-11 as a parenthetical section where Paul leaves Gentile doctrine to deal with Israel's past, present, and future. He highlights that Israel's fall brought salvation to the Gentiles, but this is not the end for them. In Romans 11, Paul asks 'Have they stumbled that they should fall?' and answers 'God forbid,' showing that Israel's rejection is not final. They are like branches that can be grafted back in. Les insists that God will one day fulfill all the promises made to Israel, as foretold by the Old Testament prophets (Ezekiel 37, Deuteronomy 30, Zechariah). He looks forward to the day when God will bring Israel back to the land and resume His dealings with them, after the church age is complete.
Les Feldick explains that Romans 9-11 is a parenthetical section in Paul's letter to the Romans. After giving doctrinally rich instruction for Gentile believers in Romans 8, Paul transitions with 'therefore' in Romans 12:1, but in between, he spends three chapters dealing exclusively with the nation of Israel—her past, present, and future. This interruption shows that Israel is a vital part of God's plan, not a forgotten people.
Paul expresses great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for his fellow Israelites (Romans 9:2). His willingness to be accursed from Christ for their sake demonstrates the depth of his concern. This mirrors Moses' intercession for Israel, showing that both leaders shared a profound love for the covenant nation. This grief underscores that Israel is still significant in God's plan, not cast off.
Les teaches that through Israel's fall—their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah—salvation has come to the Gentiles. In Romans 11:11, Paul says, 'But through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.' This does not mean God has abandoned Israel; rather, their temporary rejection opened the door for the Gentile church age. Gentile believers are grafted into the olive tree of God's blessings, but the natural branches (Israel) can be grafted back in.
According to Les, Israel's future is certain: God will bring them back to their land and fulfill all His covenant promises. The Old Testament prophets (Ezekiel 37, Deuteronomy 30, Zechariah) foretold this restoration. This cannot happen until God is finished dealing with the Gentile church. After the church is removed, God will turn back to Israel and complete His dealings with them.
No. While Israel is currently blinded and in unbelief (Romans 11:25), this blindness is partial and temporary. Romans 11 speaks of a time when 'all Israel shall be saved' when the deliverer comes out of Zion (Romans 11:26). God has not permanently rejected His people; He has only set them aside for a time.
Romans 9-11 as Parenthetical
Les explains that Romans 9-11 is a parenthetical section where Paul shifts from Gentile doctrine to deal specifically with Israel's past, present, and future, showing Israel is not forgotten.
God Not Done with Israel
Les teaches that most of Christendom falsely believes God is finished with Israel, but the Bible is adamant that God will bring Israel back to the land and fulfill His covenant promises.
Israel Set Aside Temporarily
Les emphasizes that although Israel has been set aside for 1900+ years without temple, priesthood, or homeland, God is not through with His covenant people and will restore them.
God's Faithfulness to Israel
Les answers Romans 11:1 directly, explaining that while God has set Israel aside and blinded them, He will return to finish His dealings with them as promised in the Old Testament.
Israel's Present and Future
Les notes that Romans 10 deals with Israel's present (same basis of salvation as Gentiles) and Romans 11 with their future, reinforcing that God is not through with them.
Israel's Fall Not Final
Using Romans 11:11, Les shows that Israel's stumbling was not to fall permanently, for through their fall salvation came to the Gentiles, and God will not cast them off.
Israel's Suffering and Future Restoration
Les explains that Israel has suffered due to rejecting their Messiah, but God from the beginning promised to bring them back and fulfill all promises to their forefathers.
God's Covenant Promises Stand
Les affirms that God is not through with the Jew despite their ignorance in crucifying Christ, and He will keep His covenant promises to them as a nation.
Romans 11:1: I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul explicitly denies that God has rejected Israel, using 'God forbid' as a strong negation.
Romans 11:11: I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Paul clarifies that Israel's stumbling is not permanent; it opened the door for Gentile salvation.
Romans 11:25-26: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Paul reveals Israel's blindness is partial and temporary, leading to the future salvation of all Israel.
Romans 9:2: That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Paul expresses deep grief for his fellow Israelites, showing his concern for the nation.
Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Paul lists the privileges of Israel, underscoring their special covenant relationship with God.
No. In Romans 11:1, Paul asks, 'Hath God cast away his people?' and answers with an emphatic 'God forbid.' This shows that God has not permanently rejected Israel, though they have been temporarily set aside.
Israel's suffering, including loss of temple, land, and the Holocaust, is a consequence of their rejection of the Messiah. However, God has not abandoned them; He promised from the beginning to bring them back and fulfill His covenant, which He will do in the future.
Romans 9-11 is a parenthetical section where Paul addresses Israel's past, present, and future. It teaches that Israel is still God's covenant people, that their current blindness is temporary, and that all Israel will eventually be saved.
Watch the Teaching: Is God Done With Israel? What the Bible Really Says - Romans 9 Explained