Romans 3:1-4 (NIV)
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
It seems like in the last two sections, that Paul is denigrating the Jewish people. Now he looks at the flip side, with the benefits of being Jewish.
Surprisingly, Paul comes up with only one key benefit, but it’s a big one: they have been entrusted with the very words of God! And that is a massive benefit. God thought enough of the Jewish people, took their status as His chosen people seriously enough that He spoke to them through Moses, through the prophets, and by His Holy Spirit. The result is a written legacy of God’s interaction with the people, and a record of His laws, His rules, His requirements, so that they can follow Him and remain in His grace.
But the key is not what the Jewish people had received, but what they had done with it. There was a remnant that continued to follow God’s law and to wait for all His promises to be fulfilled, such as Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22-38), who rejoiced when they had seen God’s Messiah. And there were others, even among the Pharisees, who received Jesus and followed Him, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-42). And even among the common Jewish people, Jesus found several dozen who believed in Him and who followed Him.
But, sadly, the vast majority of the Jewish people of Jesus’ day and afterwards did not choose to follow Him. They came to Him for healings or to listen to Him teach, but there was no place in their theology for the Son of God. So, after enjoying His presence His wisdom, and His miracles for a time, they turned back.
Paul’s point is that the lack of faith among those people did nothing to nullify God’s revelation and His grace. Even if no one believed, God was still 100% true to His word and faithful to keep His promises to send the Messiah, and to redeem not just His chosen people, but whoever will believe in Jesus.
Father, I am forever grateful that You were faithful, and that You opened the doors into Your kingdom so wide that even I could enter through faith in Jesus. It is sad that so many have chosen not to enter but have chosen to go their own way and ultimately be lost, both Jews and gentiles, when You made the doorway so clear and made a direct appeal to their hearts. Help us, Your people, to keep Your appeal going as we actively obey Your command to go and make disciples of all nations. Amen.