God’s Open Hand (Romans 10:5-24)
Imagine offering a gift to someone you love, only to have them push it away. That’s what God experiences with His people. In Romans 10:21, Paul writes, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” God extends His grace to Israel, yet they reject it. Today, we’ll explore Romans 10:5-21 to understand why Paul makes this statement about Israel. How have they rejected God’s open hand and what does this mean for us?
Look at Moses (5-10)
Romans 10:5–10 (ESV) — 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Paul first quotes Leviticus 18:5, which says that keeping God’s law perfectly brings life. Imagine trying to climb a mountain with no mistakes—one slip, and you fall. That’s the law: perfect obedience is required, but no one can achieve it.
Then, Paul cites Deuteronomy 30:11-14, where Moses urges Israel to obey God from the heart as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy, God predicts Israel’s failure: they’ll obey for a time, then rebel and face exile. Yet, later God promises mercy. When Israel turns back to Him with all their heart, He will transform them—giving them a new heart to love and obey Him.
Paul’s point is clear: righteousness doesn’t come from perfect law-keeping but from faith in Christ. Some say, “God’s law is too hard!” That’s not faith—it’s defiance. Faith says, “God has made His grace accessible through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. I believe, and I confess Jesus as Lord.” Through faith, God forgives us and transforms our hearts, enabling us to live for Him.
Everyone Who Believes (11-13)
Not only has God held out His hand for Israel, Paul wants to make it clear that His hand is held out for everyone.
Romans 10:11–13 (ESV) — 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Notice the repetition in this text. “Everyone,” “all,” and “Jew and Greek” are intended to clarify that the words of Moses are for all who will turn to God, believe in His mercy, and call out to Him for grace through Jesus.
You know, sometimes I wonder if we recognize the beauty of this truth. God’s hand is not just held out for Israel. It has been extended for us as well. There is no one God’s hand cannot reach. He makes his grace available to all. Only those who accept it will be saved, but He does not discriminate.
God wants to “bestow his riches on all who call on him.”
The Gospel’s Power To Save (14-20)
Paul explains how salvation works in Romans 10:14-15:
Romans 10:14–15 (ESV) — 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
The process is simple: God sends messengers to preach the gospel. People hear it, believe it, and call on Jesus for salvation. We will look more closely at this next week, but for now, notice how easy that is compared to keeping the law. Do you see how it could be said that God has his hand open? Do you also see the main point of this letter, that the gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes?
Yet, Paul says, Israel heard but didn’t believe.
Romans 10:16–20 (ESV) — 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
In Romans 10:16-20, he quotes Isaiah and Moses to show that Israel’s rejection was foretold. They heard the message, but their hearts were hardened, choosing disobedience over faith.
Application
Israel had the chance to accept God’s grace but rejected it, just as they hesitated to enter the Promised Land. What about you? God’s hand is open, offering forgiveness and a transformed life through Jesus. Have you accepted it, or are you resisting?
Faith isn’t just agreeing with facts. It’s trusting that Jesus’ sacrifice makes righteousness possible. It’s saying, “God, I see Your grace, and I want it.” It’s living obediently, not to earn salvation, but to honor the God who saved a sinner like you.
God wants a people who recognize their failure, believe in His greatness and mercy, call out to Jesus for salvation, and stop living disobedient and contrary lives.
Is that what you have done?
You know, some of us can be very stubborn just like Israel. Someone tells us that we need to do something, but we resist. We think the truth doesn’t apply to us. We refuse to listen and suffer the consequences. Everyone is that way. The question is, “Will you continue to be that way or will you become poor in spirit and receive God’s grace?”
Israel rejected God’s open hand. Will you? God is calling for you to come. All are welcome.