Paul uses "it is written" to cite Old Testament Scripture, specifically Isaiah and the Psalms, as divine confirmation of Israel's judicial blindness and their table becoming a snare.
In Romans 11, Paul quotes from the Old Testament to show that Israel's unbelief and blindness were not accidental but anticipated in Scripture. Les Feldick points out that Paul's words describe the nation of Israel, not just individuals, and that these conditions still apply today. The phrase signals that God's actions with Israel are consistent with His written Word.
Romans 11:8 — This verse contains the exact phrase 'it is written' and Paul's quotation from Isaiah concerning the spirit of slumber and blindness.
Romans 11:9-10 — Paul again quotes David from the Psalms, showing Israel's table becoming a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a recompense.
In Romans 11, Paul writes: "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day" (Romans 11:8). He immediately introduces this quotation with the phrase "According as it is written," signifying that this condition is found in the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul then continues, "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway" (Romans 11:9-10). These words are quoted from the Psalms, applying them to the nation of Israel in Paul's day. The Bible also states earlier in the chapter that "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (Romans 11:7). The Scriptures therefore present Israel's blindness as a divine judicial act and a fulfillment of what was already written.
Les Feldick emphasizes that when Paul says "it is written," he is quoting directly from the Old Testament and speaks by inspiration just as the Old Testament prophets did. In Romans 11, Paul's quotation of Isaiah shows that God gave Israel a spirit of slumber, and Les applies this to the nation of Israel as a whole, not merely to individual Jews. He notes that this condition "hasn't changed, even today." Les also explains the quotation from David: Israel's table—representing their privileged position of feasting at God's table—became a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a recompense. Israel wanted the King and the Kingdom but refused to deal with their sin, so in unbelief they rejected the redeeming Savior. The election, however, obtained what Israel sought, while the rest were blinded. Les further points out that this blindness is not permanent; it is for a season, even though it has already lasted over 1,900 years.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel wanted the King and the Kingdom, but they would not reckon with the fact that they had to deal first with the sin problem. They needed a redeeming Savior, not just a ruling King. Because they refused to face sin, they missed the King and the Kingdom. Paul writes, "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded" (Romans 11:7). The election are those who believed and obtained salvation, while the rest were blinded—a condition that remains true today.
Paul quotes David: "Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them" (Romans 11:9). Les Feldick teaches that this refers to God's table—Israel had been enjoying the blessings and consequences of its privileged position, pictured as feasting at God's table. That exalted position became a trap and contributed to their fall. In the context of Romans 11, the table is part of God's judicial blinding of the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick explains that Israel's blindness is not permanent but temporary, for a season. In Acts 13, Elimas the sorcerer was stricken blind only for a season, which pictures the nation of Israel. Although Israel has been blinded for over 1,900 years, one day their spiritual eyes will be opened. Paul's quotation in Romans 11 shows that the blindness has continued "unto this day," and Les notes that it has not changed even today.
Les Feldick points out that Paul writes just as much by inspiration as Isaiah, Daniel, or Matthew. When Paul says "it is written," he is grounding his teaching in the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul's quotations from Isaiah and David in Romans 11 show that Israel's unbelief and blinding were not separate from God's written revelation but were precisely what the Old Testament had indicated. This also demonstrates that God's dealings with Israel are in accordance with His Word.
In Romans 11:11, Paul asks, "Have they stumbled that they should fall?" and answers, "God forbid." Les Feldick teaches that through Israel's fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Israel's rejection of the promises did not bring about their complete end; rather, their fall opened the door for Gentile salvation. This is part of Paul's continuing argument about Israel's place in God's purposes.
Israel's Refusal to Deal with Sin
Les explains that Israel wanted the King and Kingdom but would not face the sin problem, needing a redeeming Savior rather than just a ruling King, which is why they did not obtain what they sought.
Quotations from Isaiah and David
Les reads Romans 11:7-10 and points out that the spirit of slumber, blind eyes, and deaf ears are still true today, and that David's table imagery speaks of the nation of Israel.
Why Faith Alone Saves — Not Works : Romans 10 Explained
The book of Romans is written to the Gentile believers at Rome, and so to the Gentile believer he writes, "...brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved." Do you remember what he said back in chapter 9? He would even give up his own salvation if he could see the nation of Israel saved. Now verse 2, Paul writes, "...
Temporary Blindness Like Elimas
Les compares Israel's blindness to Elimas the sorcerer, who was blinded for a season, showing that Israel's blindness is temporary, not permanent.
The Elect Obtained and the Rest Blinded
Les explains that Israel sought the King and Kingdom but missed it, while the election—those who believed—obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Israel's Blindness Is for a Season
Les emphasizes that Israel's blindness is temporary, though it has lasted over 1,900 years, and that their eyes will be opened one day.
Israel's Fall Brought Salvation to Gentiles
Les notes that Paul writes by inspiration and that through Israel's fall, salvation came to the Gentiles, showing the purpose behind Israel's stumbling.
Blindness in Part Has Happened to Israel
Les highlights that Israel's judicial blindness is part of the mystery revealed nowhere else in Scripture, and that it is temporary and in part.
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.
Sets the context that Israel as a whole did not obtain the King and Kingdom, but the elect did, and the rest were judicially blinded.
Romans 11:8: (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
This is the direct use of 'it is written' where Paul quotes Isaiah to describe Israel's God-given blindness.
Romans 11:9: And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompence unto them:
Paul quotes David from the Psalms, showing that Israel's privileged table became a snare and a stumbling block.
Romans 11:10: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Continues the quotation from David, describing the results of Israel's blindness and bowed-down back.
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.
Shows that Israel's fall was not final and that through it salvation came to Gentiles.
Romans 11:25: 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.
Reveals that Israel's blindness is partial and temporary, lasting until the fullness of the Gentiles.
Paul uses 'it is written' to cite Old Testament Scripture. In Romans 11, he quotes from Isaiah and David to show that Israel's blindness and their table becoming a snare were already written in the Old Testament. Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul writes by inspiration just as the Old Testament prophets did.
No. Les Feldick teaches that Israel's blindness is for a season, not permanent. It has lasted over 1,900 years, but one day Israel's spiritual eyes will be opened. Romans 11:25 says that blindness 'in part' has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
The election are those in Israel who did believe and obtained salvation. As Les Feldick explains, they understood the King and the Kingdom and were not blinded, but the rest of the nation was blinded.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Was Blinded — Romans 11 Explained Verse by Verse