Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 10:19

"But I say, Did Israel not know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, With a nation void of understanding will I anger you." — Romans 10:19 (ASV)

But I say, Did not Israel know?

Assuredly, Israel did know, but did not believe.

First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

Moses told them that it would be so if they rejected Christ.

Christ would be preached to the Gentiles, and those whom they thought to be foolish would come in and accept what they had rejected.

First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

And the Gentiles, like ourselves, were thus accounted dogs by the Jews, but the Lord has brought us in and made us believe in Christ, because they rejected him.

What a wonderful passage that is about the great supper which the king prepared! When we read that because the invited guests did not come, the king, being angry, said to his servants, Go ye out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.

Even the anger of God, you see, works for good for some. He was angry with the guests who did not come, but then he called us in. His anger against the Jewish people has turned to the salvation of the Gentiles, for which may God be praised. But may Israel be gathered, too.

First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

So the poor outcast Gentiles have received Christ although Israel rejected him.