THE HOPE OF ISRAEL - The Preterist Archive

210 The Hope of Israel: What Is It?
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from
the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9). And the
apostle goes on to say that the promise was not for
repentent Jews only, but for all men: "For there is
no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for
ivhosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved" (vv. 12, 13).
The essence of all this, stated in the fewest words,
is that "this commandment which" Moses said "I
command thee this day," and which was to be brought
"very nigh" unto them, was to hear and obey the gospel
of Christ.
And from this Paul argues the imperative necessity
of preaching the gospel to all men, Jeivs and Gentiles
alike; "for how shall they believe in Him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?" And, still keeping Moses' prophecy in
view, he continues :
"But I say, Did not Israel know? [that God's promised
mercy was to embrace Gentiles also]. First Moses saith, I will
provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a
foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and
saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made
manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he
saith All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient
and gainsaying people." (Rom. 10:18-21).
And then the apostle sums up the truth of the matter
by saying: "Israel hath not obtained that which
he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and
the rest were blinded."
Here we have an authoritative explanation of God's
promise of mercy for some future generation of Israelites
upon condition of repentance and faith; and
thereby we learn that, although it spoke of things