Israel rejected Jesus at His first coming because of unbelief and refusal to search the Scriptures, even though the Old Testament plainly revealed Him.
Les Feldick teaches that Israel had the Old Testament for centuries but ignored and refused to believe it. They wanted a king with power and glory, not a lowly Savior who would address their sin. Their selective focus on prophetic promises and unwillingness to confront sin led to their rejection.
Romans 3:2 — Highlights that Israel was entrusted with the Word of God, making their unbelief inexcusable.
The Bible reveals that Israel was given the oracles of God, as Romans 3:1-2 states, "...what advantage then hath the Jew? ... chiefly unto them were committed the oracles of God." This underscores their responsibility to know the Messiah. Yet, in Matthew 2, when the wise men inquired about the King of the Jews, the religious leaders had to search the Scriptures to find that He would be born in Bethlehem, showing their neglect (Matthew 2:4-6). The Old Testament clearly prophesied a suffering Savior (e.g., Isaiah 53) and a coming King, but Israel focused on the King and Kingdom, ignoring the necessity of the Savior.
Les emphasizes that Israel's rejection was rooted in unbelief. They had the Old Testament but did not study it, and when Jesus came as their King, they did not recognize Him. He points out that the religious leaders had to search the Scriptures to answer where the King would be born, showing their ignorance (Clip 2). Israel wanted a king of pomp and power, not the humble Messiah on a donkey's colt (Clips 1, 7). They desired the Kingdom's benefits but were unwilling to face their sin and accept the suffering Savior (from summary, though not in clips, but implied by their rejection). Les also notes that God made a valid offer of the Kingdom, but Israel refused it in unbelief, and God's sovereignty allowed their rejection to fulfill His eternal purposes, including the cross (Clips 4, 5).
Les teaches that Israel was looking for a king who would come with power and circumstance, possibly on a great white Arabian steed, but instead Jesus came on a lowly donkey, and they missed Him (Clip 7). They wanted the King and the Kingdom—peace, prosperity, and freedom from Roman rule—but they did not want to deal with their sin by receiving the Savior.
Israel ignored the Old Testament Scriptures, refused to believe them, and did not search them. When the wise men asked where the King was to be born, the religious leaders had to search the Scriptures and found it was Bethlehem (Clip 2). They rejected valid offers of the King and Kingdom in unbelief, both in Jesus' earthly ministry and later through Peter's preaching (Clips 4, 5).
No. Les explains that God in His foreknowledge knew Israel would reject Jesus, and their rejection actually fulfilled God's eternal purposes, particularly the cross (Clip 5). After rejection, God called Jesus back to heaven, sent Israel into dispersion, and turned to the Gentiles with salvation by grace (Clip 6).
Israel's Unbelief and Scripture Neglect
Les explains Israel had the Word of God for centuries but ignored and refused to believe it, so they did not know Jesus when He came.
The King's Humble Entry
Jesus came as their King on a donkey, not a white Arabian steed, which threw them off, but the offer was valid if they would believe.
Religious Leaders' Ignorance
Even the religious leaders had to search the Scriptures to find where the King would be born, proving their neglect and lack of study.
Jesus Came to His Own
Jesus was promised as Messiah and King, but Israel rejected Him, culminating in their rejection at the stoning of Stephen.
Valid Offers Rejected in Unbelief
The offer of the King and Kingdom was valid, but Israel rejected it in unbelief, just as they rejected the land in the Old Testament.
God's Foreknowledge and Sovereignty
God knew Israel would reject Jesus, and their rejection fit into His eternal purposes, but the offer was valid, and they could have repented.
Rejection Leads to Dispersion
Because Israel rejected the Messiah, God called Jesus back to heaven, sent Israel into dispersion, and turned to the Gentiles with salvation by grace.
Expecting a Conquering King
Israel looked for a king with power and appearance, but Jesus came lowly on a donkey, and they missed Him, remaining blind to who He truly was.
Romans 3:1-2: What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Shows Israel's unique privilege of having God's Word, making their unbelief more culpable.
Matthew 2:4-6: And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Illustrates that even the religious leaders had to search the Scriptures to know where the King would be born, indicating their neglect.
Isaiah 53:3: He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Old Testament prophecy of the suffering Savior, which Israel overlooked in their desire for a conquering King.
Unbelief. They had the Old Testament Scriptures but ignored them and refused to search them, so they did not recognize Jesus when He came.
Yes. They expected a king with pomp and power, but Jesus came humbly on a donkey. They were not willing to face their sin and accept the Savior.
God in His foreknowledge knew they would reject Jesus, and their rejection actually fulfilled His eternal purposes, including the cross. He never took away their free will.
God called Jesus back to heaven, sent Israel into dispersion, and turned to the Gentiles with salvation by grace, separate from Israel's law.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Was Blinded — Romans 11 Explained Verse by Verse