"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."
In today's quote, referring to the Jewish nation, Paul praised those who carried the good word of God to the people. He explained how the word of God could never be heard if there was no one willing to preach it.
In the latter portion of the quote, Paul condemned all those, including the Jews, who hear and yet don't believe the precious word of God's grace.
He said that even Isaias said, "I was found of them that sought me not;" (The Gentiles) "I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."
There are still preachers who preach the true, undistorted, word of God. We, the true Christians, should be grateful for their efforts praying for them daily. We should also join them in doing everything we can possibly do to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.
Our time is surely running out, "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Matthew 24:33-34)~
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