Romans 9.1-33 Israel and the Law

For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.... But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your  descendants will be named."... What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works... 

Romans 9:1-33 NASB

 At this point, the apostle Paul is addressing gentiles concerning the Jews. He begins by identifying with his fellow Jews.

Israel is described as having a special place in God's plan for this world. They are the first to be adopted into God's family. It was to Israel that God revealed His glory. He made covenants and gave them the Law with the temple service. It was to Israel that God promised the messiah. And it was from Israel that we receive Jesus Christ in the flesh.

It is heartbreaking that Israel, as a people, rejected Jesus as their Messiah.

Yet, through their rejection, we gentiles received the preaching of the gospel, and were saved.

In the end, the issue became one of works versus faith.

The gentiles, who didn't have the law, were more receptive to the gospel of grace through faith.

Israel's identity is tied up with the Law of Moses. Accepting Jesus means trusting in grace and faith instead of following the law.

This does not mean that God is through with Israel. Nor does it mean that Jews are enemies of Christians. After all, we owe our heritage to them. It simply means that - for a season - Israel has rejected Jesus as Messiah.