Topical Bible: The Jews: Promises Respecting: The Removal of Their Blindness

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The Scriptures contain numerous promises concerning the future spiritual restoration of the Jewish people, particularly regarding the removal of their spiritual blindness. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's enduring covenant with Israel and His plan for their ultimate redemption.

Prophetic Promises in the Old Testament

The Old Testament prophets frequently spoke of a time when Israel would be restored both physically and spiritually. Isaiah prophesied about the opening of the eyes of the blind, a metaphor for spiritual awakening and understanding. In Isaiah 29:18 , it is written, "On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see." This passage suggests a future time when the Jewish people will gain spiritual insight and understanding.

Ezekiel also speaks of a future restoration in which God will give the people a new heart and spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-27 states, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." This promise indicates a profound transformation that will lead to a renewed relationship with God.

New Testament Fulfillment and Future Hope

The New Testament continues this theme, with the Apostle Paul addressing the spiritual blindness of Israel and the hope for their future restoration. In Romans 11:25-26 , Paul writes, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.'"

Paul's words suggest that the current spiritual blindness of Israel is temporary and part of God's larger redemptive plan. The "hardening in part" serves a purpose in the divine timeline, allowing for the inclusion of the Gentiles before the eventual salvation of Israel.

The Role of the Messiah

Central to the removal of spiritual blindness is the role of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah who would open the eyes of the blind. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed."

This mission of Jesus underscores the promise of spiritual enlightenment and liberation for the Jewish people, as well as for all who believe in Him.

The Future Restoration of Israel

The Bible promises a future time when the Jewish people will recognize Jesus as the Messiah and experience a spiritual awakening. Zechariah 12:10 prophesies, "Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son."

This passage indicates a future recognition and acceptance of Jesus by the Jewish people, leading to a profound spiritual transformation and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 11:25
For I would not, brothers, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 3:14-16
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil not taken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... an early period complaints were made respecting the distribution ... they claimed some
interest in "the promises made unto ... But the Jews, after the death of Stephen ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... desirous of giving his disciples instructions respecting the nature ... often make an
appropriation of promises to himself ... to the return of the Jews from captivity. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... By his frequent intercourse with Jews and Christian ... a prohibition of all controversies
respecting religion, which ... is given to them, Christ promises the spirit ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/oration v on reconciling religious.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... decrees, the absolute [ness of his] promises, the utter ... of the two ministrations,
and their excellencies (2 ... by the dictates of human nature, respecting the law ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... a discussion of the position of Augustine respecting Predestination and ... of the prophets
and the promises of God ... therefore, is said concerning the Jews, that we ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... accepting the Son it supports that of the Jews. ... that, feeling ashamed of the fallacy
respecting ungeneracy with ... do with the point which he promises to establish ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm