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The verse which I am referring to is Romans 9:3 and, for context, here is Romans 9:1-4( TLV),
“ I tell the truth in Messiah— I do not lie, my conscience assuring me in the Ruach ha-Kodesh— that my sorrow is great and the anguish in my heart unending. For I would pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people— my own flesh and blood, who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the Temple service and the promises.”( emphasis mine)
What a shocking statement from the Apostle Paul, …“ For I would pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people.” What was Paul thinking? Did he hope it would touch the heart of his hearers? I certainly think so and, likewise, I believe the inspiration behind Paul’ s shocking words should deeply affect every follower of Messiah Yeshua over the centuries and right now.
Can you recall the first time you read this verse and your reaction? I wonder if it has lost some of its impact on some of us after many readings. If so, may we revisit what we are thinking about this passage …
This heavy burden, … this great sorrow and heart’ s anguish within Paul is what I want to briefly explore with you today. Paul says he is certain“ in the Ruach ha- Kodesh” about his sorrow and anguish regarding Israel’ s salvation destiny in Messiah Yeshua. Therefore, I think it is also right to believe the Ruach ha- Kodesh had led Paul to share his alarming proclamation,“... I pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people.”
In actuality, what Paul expresses is in line with what the Lord Yeshua previously expressed concerning Israel’ s salvation. Most notably, we have Yeshua weeping over Jerusalem( Luke 19:41) and also linking the time of His return to Israel’ s declaration of Him as Lord and Savior( Luke 13:34-35).
Therefore, I believe we can reasonably assume that this is what the Apostle Paul was thinking of in writing Romans 9:3 and, and likewise, what he wanted Gentile believers to receive. Behind Paul’ s emotional proclamation is the heart of Yeshua for the salvation of Israel, the lost sheep of the house of Israel( Matthew 10:6; 15:24).
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