SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 11
THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL (vs. 1-10)
Paul was saying that God did not reject all His people. When Elijah told God that the Jews had killed His prophets and torn down His altars leaving him alone and trying to kill him, God answered him, “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal”. Therefore, there is a remnant chosen by God through His grace.
PROPHET ISAIAH HAD PREDICTED THE PUNISHMENT OF THE UNRESPOSIVE HEARTS OF THE ISRAELITES AS FOLLOWS:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see, and ears so that they could not hear to this very day.” (vs. 8)
DAVID SAYS:
“May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” (vs. 9-10)
INGRAFTED BRANCHES (vs. 11-16)
Because of the transgression of Israel, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But it their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
Paul was a Jew but he was the apostle to the Gentiles. He hoped that his ministry may somehow arouse his own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, their acceptance would be life from the dead. If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
PAUL TOLD THE GENTILES THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES:
“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say them, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grated in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.” (vs. 17-21)
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God:” sternness to those who feel, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grated in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches be grated into their own olive tree!” (vs. 22-24)
ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED
Paul confirmed that Israel is having a hardened heart until the full number of the Gentiles has come. But all Israel will be saved as written in the scripture: “The deliverer will come from Zion’ he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (vs. 26-27)
The Jews are enemies with the Gentiles as far as the gospel is concerned. But as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. The Gentiles were disobedient to God before but have now received His mercy. As a result of their disobedience, the Jews will also receive mercy because of God’s mercy to the Gentiles. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (vs. 28-32)
DOXOLOGY: (vs. 33-36)
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and this paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has even give to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
THOUGHTS:
Paul points out that not all Jews have rejected God’s message of salvation. There are still few faithful who are faithful to God.
Paul show how the Jews and the Gentile will benefit each other. Whenever God shows mercy to one group, the other shares the blessing. In God’s original plan, the Jews would be the source of God’s blessing to the Gentiles. When the Jews rejected this mission,. God blessed the Gentiles. However, He still maintained His love for the Jews because of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But someday all faithful Jews will share in God’s mercy and glory.
God punished those who are unresponsive to His message by removing their ability to see and hear and to turn from sin. Thus, they would experience the consequences of their rebellion.
No one can fully understand the mind of the Lord. No one has been His counselor. We are unable to criticize His ways. For God owes nothing to any one of us. God alone possesses the absolute power and wisdom.
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