The religious leaders in Jerusalem imposed a system of rules of conduct on their people and viewed it as a righteousness pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10, explains that their legalistic rule-keeping resulted in a self-righteousness, not a Godly righteousness.
True righteousness comes by believing what God says (like Abraham did). The religious leaders knew God had said for them to obey the Messiah when He came, but they would not listen to God on this matter. They did not like it that the Messiah (Jesus) said that their laws were man-made and that their hypocritical religiosity was actually keeping people from finding true salvation through faith in God.
The religious leaders also knew God's Word included salvation for the Gentiles, but they would not listen to God on this matter, either. They preferred their man-made religious system that allowed them to feel superior to the Gentiles.
As a result of their hard-headed ways, God removed from them the privilege of being His spokesman to the unbelieving world. God gave this position to the church, which includes both Jew and Gentile.
The Apostle Paul warns the church (in Romans 11) that if they become arrogant and disobedient to God's instructions, that they will not last as His spokesman, either.
Before anyone judges the Jews too harshly, he should look at the church, especially his own church, and seek to determine if it is a religious organization following a system of man-made laws that produce self-righteousness.
The religious leaders also knew God's Word included salvation for the Gentiles, but they would not listen to God on this matter, either. They preferred their man-made religious system that allowed them to feel superior to the Gentiles.
As a result of their hard-headed ways, God removed from them the privilege of being His spokesman to the unbelieving world. God gave this position to the church, which includes both Jew and Gentile.
The Apostle Paul warns the church (in Romans 11) that if they become arrogant and disobedient to God's instructions, that they will not last as His spokesman, either.
Before anyone judges the Jews too harshly, he should look at the church, especially his own church, and seek to determine if it is a religious organization following a system of man-made laws that produce self-righteousness.
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