Romans 11:8– A spirit of stupor.

Even as it is written: God gives them a spirit of stupor, eyes not to be observing, and ears not to be hearing, till this very day.

The nation of Israel has been given “a spirit of stupor”. The Hebrew word Isaiah 29:10 uses is the same term used in Genesis 2:21, where Adam “undergoes surgery” and his wife is created out of him. Adam was then sedated or put into a deep sleep. And the ‘deep sleep’ that Israel has been in for two thousand years now is elsewhere called ‘death’ (Hos.6).

It should not escape our notice how the context of Isaiah 29 also aptly speaks of the present time. Paul quotes verse 10, but verses 11 and 12 illustrate the stupor and blindness of verse 10. God’s words are like a sealed scroll to the people. Or like a scroll given to one who cannot read. It is true that one possesses the Scriptures, but its contents are inaccessible. One does not understand it and one cannot understand it (Rom.9:30-32).

God deals “marvelously” with this people for two thousand years, as Isaiah 29:14 says. The wisdom of her wise and prudent is not sufficient. Only when God opens the eyes, ears and hearts of the people will people understand! Not before.

Delen: