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"My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved."

Text: Romans 10:1

ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF AFFECTION FOR ISRAEL

Paul’s exposition on the doctrine of the sovereignty of God could not but have caused raised eyebrows among the Jews! Did this writer really have a heart for them? Let us look at two moving statements Paul made to declare his affection for his nation.

1. First Declaration of affection

“I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying,
my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ
for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh.”
Romans 9:1-3

2. Second Declaration of affection

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel
is that they may be saved.”
Romans 10:1

a) Brethren

The Jews would always be “brethren” to the apostle Paul.

i) A blood bond.

ii) A precious shared religious heritage.

b) My heart’s desire

i) There was great affection in the heart of the apostle Paul for the Jews.

ii) This desire was expressed consistently in his many attempts to speak about salvation in Christ Jesus though he was rejected many times.

c) And prayer

i) Paul was a man of deep prayer.

ii) He must have prayed often for Israel.

d) That they may be saved

i) Paul’s greatest desire was to see Israel come to salvation in Christ.

ii) There was nothing more important than to pray for Israel’s salvation.