“But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.’ But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is very bold and says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.’ But to Israel he says: ‘All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.'” – Romans 10:18-21
Romans 10:18 asks, “But I say, have they not heard?” and answers, “Yes indeed: ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’” (NKJV). Paul quotes Psalm 19 to show that the message of God has always been available. The heavens themselves declare His glory, day after day, night after night. Creation speaks a universal language that no one can ignore. This is general revelation—God’s fingerprints are everywhere. But Psalm 19 also speaks of special revelation: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” (Psalm 19:7). Israel had both. They saw the skies and held the Scriptures. They were not without opportunity—they were without response. Romans 1:20 confirms this: “so that they are without excuse.” The gospel didn’t fail to reach them. They failed to receive it.
Paul anticipates the next objection: “Maybe Israel heard, but didn’t understand.” But that doesn’t hold up either. He quotes Moses and Isaiah to prove that Israel knew what God was doing. Moses warned that God would provoke Israel to jealousy by reaching Gentiles (Deuteronomy 32:21). Isaiah boldly declared, “I was found by those who did not seek Me.” (Romans 10:20). Jesus Himself echoed this in parables—the two sons, the wicked vinedressers, the wedding feast—all pointing to Israel’s rejection and the gospel’s expansion. The problem wasn’t lack of clarity. It was willful blindness. Like Galileo’s critics who refused to look through the telescope, Israel refused to look at the evidence. They had the truth in front of them, but it didn’t fit their expectations. So they shut their eyes and hardened their hearts.
This is a sobering reminder for us today. The gospel is not hidden. It has gone out through creation, through Scripture, and through faithful messengers. The question is not whether we’ve heard it—it’s whether we’ve received it. Are we willing to look at the evidence, even if it challenges our assumptions? Are we willing to repent and submit? If we reject the truth, it’s not because it wasn’t available—it’s because we didn’t want to see it. Don’t be like those who shut their eyes to the light. Open your heart to the message of Christ. Let the heavens declare His glory to you. Let the Scriptures reveal His grace. And let your response be one of faith, obedience, and surrender. The message has gone out. Now it’s your turn to receive it.
“Their unbelief was not owing to the want of hearing. For they have heard; yes, verily… So many nations have already heard the preachers of the gospel, that I may, in some sense, say of them as David did of the lights of heaven, ‘Their sound went into all the earth.’”
— Joseph Benson
surrendered devotions 