Romans 11 - The Remnant of Israel
God's Faithfulness to Israel and the Inclusion of the Gentiles
Romans 11
Israel Is Not Cast Away
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
"Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE."
But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."
In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
just as it is written, "GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY."
And David says, "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
"LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER *."
I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch * then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited *, but fear;
for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural * branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery -so * that you will not be wise in your own estimation -that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
"THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;
for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Three Questions
How does Romans 11 illuminate God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles?
What is the significance of God's mercy and justice in Romans 11?
How does Romans 11 address the mystery of God's election and salvation?
Question 1 - How does Romans 11 illuminate God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles?
God has not rejected the Jewish people. Even though some Jews have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, God still has a plan for them. Paul, the author of Romans, uses himself as an example. He is a Jewish person from the tribe of Benjamin, proving that God is still working through Jewish people.
Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make the Jews jealous and bring them to salvation. The Gentiles' acceptance of God's grace should inspire the Jewish people to seek the same salvation.
God will use the Gentiles' acceptance of the gospel to save the Jewish people. Their acceptance is like life from the dead for the Jewish people.
Both Jews and Gentiles are part of God's plan. God's plan includes a remnant of Jewish people who have been chosen by grace and Gentiles who have been grafted into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jewish people can be grafted back into God's plan if they turn from their unbelief. God is able to restore them to their rightful place.
God's ultimate plan is to save all of Israel. This will happen when the full number of Gentiles come into God's family.
God's plan is based on his mercy and his irrevocable gifts and calling. God has chosen both Jews and Gentiles to be part of his family, and he will not go back on his promises.
Question 2 - What is the significance of God's mercy and justice in Romans 11?
This passage discusses the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers, God's plan for their salvation, and the ultimate reconciliation of all people to Him. God's mercy and justice are woven throughout this narrative, highlighting His faithfulness to His promises and His desire to extend grace to all.
God's Mercy
God has not rejected His chosen people, the Jews, even though many have rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
A remnant of Jewish people will always remain faithful to God.
God's mercy is extended to the Gentiles so that they might come to know Him.
The inclusion of the Gentiles is meant to provoke the Jewish people to jealousy, ultimately leading to the salvation of more Jews.
God's mercy was extended to the Gentiles because of the Jewish people's disobedience.
God desires mercy for all people, both Jew and Gentile.
God's Justice
Those who persist in unbelief, whether Jew or Gentile, will face the consequences.
God allowed both Jews and Gentiles to experience disobedience so that He could ultimately show mercy to all.
Romans 11 emphasizes that God's mercy and justice are not in conflict. His justice is demonstrated in His faithfulness to His promises to the Jewish people and His judgment on those who reject Him. However, His mercy shines even brighter as He extends grace to both Jews and Gentiles, ultimately seeking the salvation of all. God's plan is ultimately one of reconciliation and redemption for all who believe.
Question 3 - How does Romans 11 address the mystery of God's election and salvation?
God's Election of Israel
God has not rejected His chosen people, Israel.
This is evidenced by the fact that a remnant of Israelites remain faithful to God, just as there were 7,000 who did not bow to Baal in Elijah's time.
This remnant is chosen by God's grace, not by their works.
Those who were not chosen have been hardened, as prophesied in the scriptures.
God's ultimate plan includes the salvation of all Israel.
A hardening has come upon part of Israel for a time, until the full number of Gentiles come into the faith.
This period of hardening serves a purpose in God's plan, allowing salvation to come to the Gentiles.
God's election of Israel is based on His covenant with the patriarchs, and His gifts and call are irrevocable.
God's Salvation for Gentiles
The Gentiles have received salvation through the transgression of Israel, leading them to jealousy.
The inclusion of the Gentiles is compared to grafting wild olive branches into a cultivated olive tree.
This imagery highlights the unnaturalness of Gentile inclusion and emphasizes that it is only possible because of God's mercy.
Gentiles should not boast against the natural branches (Israel), as they are only sustained by God's grace.
If God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare the grafted branches either.
Gentiles must remain in God's kindness to avoid being cut off.
The Mystery of God's Plan
The inclusion of the Gentiles and the temporary hardening of Israel is a mystery that should not lead to self-righteousness.
God's plan ultimately includes the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.
This is accomplished through God's mercy, extended to both groups despite their disobedience.
The depth of God's wisdom and knowledge in orchestrating this plan is unsearchable.
Romans 11 emphasizes that God's election and salvation are rooted in His grace and mercy, not human merit. The chapter affirms God's ongoing faithfulness to His covenant with Israel while highlighting the surprising inclusion of the Gentiles. The ultimate goal is the reconciliation of all people to God, demonstrating the incomprehensible wisdom and knowledge of God.
Today’s Action
One action you can take to apply the teachings of Romans 11 is to practice humility and gratitude:
Cultivate Humility and Gratitude: Reflect on the ways you have experienced God's mercy in your life. Acknowledge that these blessings are not due to your own merit but are gifts of grace. Express gratitude through prayer, and let this awareness foster a humble attitude towards others.
This action aligns with Romans 11:18 and 11:20, which caution against arrogance and encourage standing by faith with humility, recognizing that it is by God's grace that we are included in His plan.
Check out this podcast as the hosts dive deeply into this topic.