Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 11:9

"And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:" — Romans 11:9 (ASV)

Here Paul sets forth in the case of Israel according to the flesh the tragic consequences of persisting in the pattern of “works.” Once again he cannot overlook Israel’s “earnestly” seeking to get from God what they prized . But the elect obtained righteousness not by works but by depending on divine grace. While this was true in the past, Paul’s main emphasis is the present situation (cf. v.5). In distinction from the elect, Israel as a whole has become hardened. The comparison between present and past, already made on the favorable side between the current remnant according to the election of grace and the 7,000 in Elijah’s time, is now projected to cover the dark aspects of the situation.

The failure of the bulk of Israel to attain divine righteousness and their being hardened are in line with OT history. Paul throws the weight of Scripture behind his presentation; by so doing he avoids having to speak on his own as bluntly and severely as the Word of God does. The first quotation weaves together Dt 29:4 and Isa 29:10 so as to provide illustrations from two periods. In Deuteronomy, it is the testimony of the eyes that is stressed: the people had seen the wonders of the Exodus and God’s miracles in the wilderness, but from these experiences they did not derive a heart of loving trust in God. In Isaiah, the background is the faithful testimony of the prophets; yet the people shut their ears to the voice of God through these spokesmen. As a consequence, God sent them a “spirit of stupor.” That involved a judicial punishment for their failure to use God-given faculties to perceive his manifested power and to glorify him .

Before leaving v.7, something should be said on the word “hardened” (GK 4800), especially since it is not the same word as the term used in 9:18. It is a strong word, suggesting petrification and permanent bluntness and insensibility in the intelligence.

David’s word of imprecation in Ps 69:22–23 follows (vv.9–10). David suffered reproach and torment from his enemies, who were also viewed as the enemies of the Lord. Apparently their feasts were times for special outbreaks of blasphemy. David prays that the Lord will make their table their snare so as to entrap them. Then he prays for the darkening of the eyes that have looked with complacency and even glee at the sufferings of the one whom God has permitted to be smitten (cf. Jn 2:17; 15:25; Acts 1:20, which also quote Ps 69). One problem arises regarding the final word of the quotation, “forever.” It is best to understand this word as “continually,” for in the following section, Israel’s obduracy and rejection are not treated as lasting indefinitely, but as giving way to a great ingathering of repentant Israel.