February 27, 2025 | Daniel L. Segraves, Ph.D.

After our breakfast and Bible reading this morning, Susan and I sat at the kitchen table for a while to discuss some of Paul’s writings about Israel in Romans 9-11.

Like many others, we are concerned about the suffering reported in the daily news, and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Some years ago, Dr. David K. Bernard, the general superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, invited me to submit a document examining the major themes of the Book of Romans. This document, covering these seven themes, was published by Word Aflame Press under the title Themes from a Letter to Rome.

Chapter 6 is titled “Jews: Showing the Favor of God to His National People.” Among other topics, this chapter explores Romans 9 (Israel’s past), Romans 10 (Israel’s present), and Romans 11 (Israel’s future).

Many verses from this section of Romans grip our imagination because of what we have seen in world history and what we continue to observe now. For example:

“I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh. … For they are not all Israel who are of Israel” (Romans 9:2-3).

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).

“God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. … Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:2, 25, 26).

Verses like these are just a few of those demanding careful and prayerful reading in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. If you are concerned about what you see in today’s world, I encourage you to obtain a copy of this book. It is available at pentecostalpublishing.com in both paperback and eBook formats and from Amazon.com in the Kindle Edition.

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