Paul is obsessing over the blindness that has fallen on Israel as a result of their rejection of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. <p> The reality is that Israel has become inbred and conceited. They have hardened their hearts toward the Lord. Most Israelies today are irreligious. They are ethnic Jews whose traditions hold them together as a people. <p> At any point in time that a single Jew wants to receive Christ Jesus as Savior, they may. But the reality is that they do not have the independence to make such a move. They are slaves to tradition.<p> So, Paul is sort of blaming the Lord even though he makes the case that the clay can`t complain to the potter about how he has made him. Rom 9:1