Paul shows throughout his teaching that there are two groups within Israel: one faithful and true, the other unfaithful and merely professing. One is known as “the election” (or “the elect”) and the other as the “blinded” or ‘hardened ones’. One is a friend of God, the other is an enemy of His. God shows Himself bound to one, and strongly against the other. Sadly, Dispensationalists back the wrong Israel in their teachings. They choose natural Christ-rejecting apostate Israel, above the elect spiritual remnant in order to justify their false doctrine. In doing so, they miss the whole development of faithful Israel into the New Testament Church.
We see the whole dichotomy between true Israel and false Israel throughout Romans 9-11. Romans 11:7-10 corresponds, “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded [Gr. poroo – hardened]. (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. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.”
This is actually saying the opposite to what many Premillennialists argue. In fact, it is actually saying what is says: “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for.” In short, salvation or favor with God has absolutely nothing to do with ethnicity. It is not about being an Israelite; it is nothing to do with racial status or nationality; it is all to do with being chosen – namely being one of God’s elect remnant. This is the only means of favor with God. This spiritual family are the true Israel and the only accepted people of God. To be of the “election” one has to have a real personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
To paraphrase this passage and its meaning in common language, ‘it is not the sum-total of natural Israel that has obtained the salvation it wishes, but only they who have entered into the election of grace by faith; the remaining Israelis that depend upon their own pitiful religious efforts are blind’. God has only partially set Israel aside. A distinguished faithful remnant remains committed to Yahweh through faith in Christ. This indeed is “a remnant according to the election of grace.” Israel is hence split into two camps. Israel, like any other nation, had two distinct peoples, one saved and the other lost. The saved are God’ elect and have been saved by His wondrous grace. The lost foolishly depend upon their own works and are accordingly damned because of it.
The New King James Version is slightly clearer, “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”
Paul’s very statement “the rest were blinded” and his detailed description of the awful plight of such foolish Jews, supports the view that there are two distinct companies of Israeli in view – one being a band of “blinded” Israelis, the other a band of enlightened “elect” Israelis. This passage again reinforces Paul’s thought that the whole nation is not blinded, rather “blindness in part is happened to Israel” or ‘part of Israel is blind’. Whilst a large section of the nation has manifestly rejected Christ since the cross, and are therefore spiritually deceived by the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4), there is a small chosen assembly of Israelis throughout history that have eyes to see and ears to hear, who belong to the good olive tree. These believers are the faithful Israeli congregation (ekklesia) in both testatments that are transformed through faith in Messiah, and are the redeemed of God.
Those who voice their disagreement with divine election need to see that the issue is not God electing for Him a people and leaving others hardened. After all, grace entails undeserved favor. It is the fact that God carries sovereign authority to save who He wishes. Paul states in Romans 9:18-21: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
The blindness of Israelis in the New Testament was because of the hardness of their own hearts. God sovereignly chose to leave them in their stubborn rebellion. It is the same for all unbelievers – Jew or Gentile. Only a remnant was elected and received a new heart; and because it is by faith, so all Israel will be saved, the true children of Abraham. It is they who will receive all the promises which Christ obtained for them.
The “election” (the elect) mentioned in Romans is simply another term for those who know God. The “blinded” on the other hand are those who are separated from God. The same reality is played out throughout the nations of this world. Notwithstanding, Paul’s main interest in Romans 10-11 is his own kinsmen. So, despite the overwhelming number of Israeli nationals rejecting Christ, the apostle shows that God was still faithful to His chosen people Israel (the elect).
