Hi Chad. I agree with some of your comments, but my posting was meant to be an explanation of the role the Jews have played rather than a Bible lesson. The role they have played, since the Garden of Eden I might add, was the role our Heavenly Father chose for them. Insofar as the Bible, Jesus Christ was meant to be a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock for them. Their eyes were darkened to Him being their Messiah on purpose. Why? As Romans11:31 explains, Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy have obtained mercy. It was God's plan for my people to be blinded to the truth of Christ, and will He now destroy them all for their nonbelief? No, our merciful Father told us in verse 25 that He did not want us to be ignorant of this mystery. Oh, the wisdom and knowledge of God is unsearchable. To finish, what will happen to the Jews? They will all be taught of God in the millennial day, which is the 7th day, which is about to begin, in my humble opinion.
Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a
remnant shall be saved
Israel hardened their own hearts, God didn’t purposely blind them, but knew what they would do and used that for His purpose.
Here’s why they stumbled:
Rom 9:31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
Rom 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith,
but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Rom 9:33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
And...
Rom 10:1 Brothers,
my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God,
and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
So I reject reformed dogma which actually has God deliberately blinding people, even His own elect nation of Israel, His bride.
They blinded themselves.
A big reason they rejected their own Messiah who originally came onky for them, is because they focused on scriptures that say Messiah will set up an earthly kingdom,which would mean defeat of their Roman oppressors, and missed where He will be cut off in death for our sins.
Another reason they rejected their own Messiah and killed Him, is they resisted the Holy Spirit, said Stephen.
Shalom.