Question: do you think they can repent if they are not of the elect? And if they are of the elect, then are they saved because
they are of the nation of Israel or because they are of the elect? Wouldn't it have to be one or the other?
they are of the nation of Israel or because they are of the elect? Wouldn't it have to be one or the other?
They are one and the same. Jacob/Israel (renamed by God to be no more called Jacob, but to be called Israel - Gen 32:28) Jacob/Israel represents all of God's elect (Rom 9:11), who are made up of all kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev 5:9).
The natural man, as described in 1 Cor 2:14, cannot repent of breaking one of God's spiritual laws, that he thinks to be foolishness.
Backsliding (spiritual) Israel, has lost their fellowship with God, ( but not their eternal inheritance), because of their sins. They are still God's people, but are still practising their sinful nature, until they repent. You and I are in the same situation as they are when we commit a sin, until we repent of that sin. The only difference in us is that God has not blinded some of our eyes from seeing the truth.
Instruction by the remnant of the household of Israel, teaching the lost sheep of the house of Israel, prayfully, can bring them to repentance.