‘What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.’ And David says: ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.'” – Romans 11:7-10
Paul is describing a spiritual hardening—a blindness that came not from lack of light, but from rejecting it. Christ came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Though the nation as a whole turned away, individuals still believed. There was, and always will be, a remnant. But Paul warns that continual rejection of truth leads to a dangerous place—not just of unwillingness, but of inability. Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart repeatedly until God confirmed that hardness, Israel’s rejection of the Messiah led to spiritual blindness. The Word of God, meant to nourish, became a snare. David said, “Let their table become a snare and a trap…” (Romans 11:9). They twisted Scripture, missed their Savior, and chose Barabbas over Christ because he fit their narrative better.
This is not just Israel’s story—it’s a warning for us today. Some people say, “I’ll come to God later,” or “I’ll get serious when I’m older.” But who promised you tomorrow? The Bible gives only one example of a deathbed confession—the thief on the cross. Thank God it happened, but it’s not a pattern we can rely on. Constant rejection of Christ can lead to final rejection. The danger is going from “I won’t” to “I can’t.” Jesus longed to gather Jerusalem like a hen gathers her chicks, but they were not willing (Matthew 23:37). That same longing is extended to every heart today. But the longer we resist, the harder our hearts become. Irrational reasoning, as J.I. Packer said, is often a sign of conviction being resisted. The truth is clear, but the heart refuses to see.
So where are you today? Are you still saying, “Not yet”? Are you waiting for a better time, a more convenient season? Don’t let delay become denial. Don’t let rejection become blindness. If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart. Surrender now, while the invitation is still open. The table of God is set—don’t let it become a trap. Come hungry, come humble, and come now. Let your heart be soft, your ears open, and your eyes clear. The Savior is still calling. Don’t wait until you can’t hear Him anymore.
“The hardening of Israel is judicial. It is the consequence of persistent unbelief and rebellion. God’s judgment is not arbitrary—it is the confirmation of their own rejection.” — John Murray
surrendered devotions 