God’s Faithful People in Israel

11 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. 2God 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. 3He 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)

4How 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)

5Some are also faithful today. They have been chosen by God’s grace. 6And 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.

7What 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.

8It 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)

9David 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)