1. So here is what I ask. Did God turn his back on his people? Not at all! I myself belong to Israel. I am one of Abraham's children. I am from the tribe of Benjamin.
2. God didn't turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don't you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel.
3. He said, "Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have torn down your altars. I'm the only one left. And they are trying to kill me." (1 Kings 19:10,14)
4. How did God answer him? God said, "I have kept 7,000 people for myself. They have not bowed down to Baal." (1 Kings 19:18)
5. Some are also faithful today. They have been chosen by God's grace.
6. And if they are chosen by grace, it is no longer a matter of working for it. If it were, grace wouldn't be grace anymore.
7. What should we say then? Israel did not receive what they wanted so badly. But those who were chosen did. God made the rest of them stubborn.
8. It is written, "God made it hard for them to understand. He gave them eyes that could not see. He gave them ears that could not hear. And they are still like that today." (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10)
9. David says, "Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let it make Israel trip and fall. Let Israel get what's coming to them.
10. Let their eyes grow dark so they can't see. Let their backs be bent forever." (Psalm 69:22,23)
11. Again, here is what I ask. They didn't trip and fall once and for all time, did they? Not at all! Because Israel sinned, those who aren't Jews can be saved. That will make Israel jealous of them.
12. Israel's sin brought riches to the world. Their loss brought riches to the non-Jews. What greater riches will come when all Israel turns to God!
13. I am talking to you who are not Jews. I am the apostle to the non-Jews. So I think the work I do for God and others is very important.
14. I hope somehow to stir up my own people to want what you have. Perhaps I can save some of them.
15. When they were not accepted, it became possible for the whole world to be brought back to God. So what will happen when they are accepted? It will be like life from the dead.