A gross misinterpretation of Genesis 1,2, and 3 threw a giant monkey wrench into the truth of God early on. There is another passage of scripture that has also been grossly distorted and misunderstood by millions down through the years and has also clouded the meaning of God’s Word. That passage is Romans Chapter One. That is the passage that contains the words “they are without excuse” (See verse 20). If one does not look at the full context in which those words appear, they might erroneously believe that Paul is here speaking of all mankind of all ages – the pagans, the unenlightened – well, everyone without exception. Many think Paul is here saying that men are without excuse who do not bow before the true Creator God and give worship to Him alone. But Paul is not speaking of all humanity in this passage. He is speaking of the Jews only. Notice that in verse 16 of Romans 1 Paul clearly says that salvation and spiritual truth was offered to the Jew first! Then he speaks of how the wrath of God has been revealed against those “men who hold (or, suppress or hold back) the truth in unrighteousness, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has showed it unto them.” (See verses 16 and 18, Romans 1). Again, here Paul refers to the Jews alone. Paul goes on to say these people knew God. They once had a relationship with Him (verse 21). “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge (verse 28). They knew the judgment of God (verse 32). “Behold, thou art called a Jew!” (Romans 2:17).
“Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, ‘YOU ONLY HAVE I KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH, therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities” (See Amos 3:1-2).
Again, “He shows His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments UNTO ISRAEL. HE HAS NOT DEALT SO WITH ANY (OTHER) NATION, and as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise you the Lord” (See Psalm 147:19-20).
Again, “Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion” (Psalm 114:2). That’s as far as God revealed Himself. All other nations were left in darkness and gross ignorance of the Eternal God of glory. They had no knowledge of whether God was a spirit being, the blazing sun high in the heavens, or the tall mountain barely visible in the distance. They just didn’t know. That’s why they worshiped all such and the early inhabitants of South America even came to believe the giant anaconda snake was a god as well as the great rivers and many other things animate and inanimate.
When the prophet Isaiah said, “Verily, you are a God that hides yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior” he spoke the truth! (See Isaiah 45:15). And when he wrote, “The people that walked in darkness (having abandoned God for idols) have seen a great light. They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined,” He was speaking of Israel alone! (See Isaiah 9:2). Matthew alludes to this passage in Matthew 4:13-17, applying it to the various tribes of Israel.
At the present time, and throughout all the centuries past, scripture says there is a “covering over all people,” and a “veil spread over ALL nations!” (See Isaiah 25:7). Satan has blinded them quite effectively. And Jesus said, “If you were blind, you should have no sin” (See John 9:41). Oh, ALL have sinned alright, but Paul writes that “where no law is, there is no transgression” (See Romans 4:15). The eternal consequences of their sins is not charged against those spiritually blinded by Satan. Only when men must honestly say, “We see” does Jesus say “therefore your sin remains!” (See John 9:41, last part). God help you to understand.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley