The Remnant That Leads to Salvation
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
We now come to the final of three marvelous chapters that we have been studying in Romans so far this fall. I’m talking about Romans 11, of course. We are going to be taking a deep look into this fantastic chapter for the next three weeks. In this chapter Paul is going to reveal to us some of the mystery and nature of our salvation and how it relates to Israel today.
From the very outset it is important to remember that God is a God who always keeps His promises. God does not change His mind, nor does God void His promises. And with that we understand that God made a very comprehensive and specific set of promises to the nation of Israel. God promised them several things.
In the Abrahamic covenant God promised that he will make Abraham’s name great (Gen 121:1-3, 6-7; 13:14-17; 15; 17:1-14; 22:15-8). And that Abraham would be the father of a multitude of nations. That his families would be blessed through the physical line of Abraham (genesis 12:3; 22:18 ). This is a reference to the Messiah who would come from the line of Abraham.
The land covenant was given to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:10), the land aspect that was detailed to Abraham. The covenant with David ( 2 Samuel 7:8-16; et al.) Emphasizes the seed aspect of the Abrahamic covenant with God promising that David's lineage would last forever and that his Kingdom would never pass away. We could examine many others but just don't have the time. But what we must understand is that God's covenants are eternal and unconditional. If God would cancel or change His promises to Israel, we would be worshipping a God who could not be trusted.
Israel's existence today is a prophetic miracle tied to God's promises. That cannot be denied. God confirmed these promises with an oath in Genesis Chapters 12, 13, and 15. If you remember, this covenant was sealed by cutting an animal in half and laying the two halves apart from each other. God then, as a smoking furnace and burning lamp, passed between those two pieces, swearing by himself and making an oath to himself that he would keep His promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:13-18)
These covenants of God sworn in the oath by God have demanded the preservation of the people of God, the nation of Israel. God has a plan for Israel. His character depends upon it his integrity depends upon it. His Holiness depends upon it. And so, god promises to redeem them. However, God also promises that those who are outside of the nation of Israel will also be blessed. It is not that God will bless Israel alone, it is that God will bless Israel and through them the world is blessed. So, all these promises given by God must be fulfilled to the Jewish people, and through Israel, millions of Gentiles have been blessed, and that does not cancel God's promise to Israel.
Unfortunately, today, because God has placed Israel aside temporarily, some have concluded that because Israel rejected their messiah, God has canceled His promises to them. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the question Paul answers in Chapter 11. Tonight we're going to read through verses one through 10.
Part 1 is “Point Blank” - Setting Aside Isreal is Part of God’s Plan.
• Demonstrated by the Life of the Author
• Demonstrated by the existence of a Remnant
• Demonstrated in history by Elijah
Part 2 is “Grafted In” - Setting Aside Israel is Part of God’s Purpose
• for gentile salvation
• to bring jealousy to the Jews
• to bless the entire world
Part 3 is “God’s Glory” - Setting Aside Israel Has a Great Provision
• It Emphasizes God’s Sovereignty
• It Upholds God’s Integrity
• It Magnifies God’s Generosity
• It Underscores God’s Incomprehensibility
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” (Romans 11:1-10)
Right out of the gate, Paul asks the question that this chapter answers. Has God permanently set aside Israel because of their unbelief. That is a fundamental and important question that we need to understand. That goes along with another question that is answered, “if the Jews have rejected Christ then aren't all of the promises made by God cancelled?” All of this is answered in Chapter 11.
Yes, Israel is an unbelief. Chapter 9 reminds us that fits in with the sovereign plan of God. Chapter 10 reminds us that their unbelief is their own fault. And it would seem you have this dichotomy between God's sovereignty and man's fault. God knew this and planned for this and that's all of God's sovereign plan, yet chapter 10 makes it clear that all of this was Israel’s responsibility. Even so, having rejected God's plan and being taken out of place of God's blessing God has not permanently cancelled His promises to them. This is why Chapter 11 is so important.
You see, Paul must defend the fact that God has not canceled His promises. A holy and righteous God can't cancel His promises. So chapters 9, 10, and 11:00 are the very central message of Paul's letter to the Romans because the doctrine of justification by faith must somehow deal with Israel. Doesn't israel's rejection mess up God's plan? If God sets Israel aside does that make the gospel untrue? All of this is answered in these wonderful 3 chapters, Concluding with Romans 11:36.
I. Setting Aside Isreal is Part of God’s Plan
The 1st 10 verses tell us that Israel’s setting aside is only partial. Right out of the gate Paul poses the paramount question, has God rejected his people? By No Means! Mi Genito!
For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. (1 Samual 12:22)
For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; (Psalm 94:14)
16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. 18 Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, 19 you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. (Nehemiah 9:16-19)
So how does Paul prove that it's partial? Well, his first point is in verses one through 10. First, the writer himself, Paul himself is an example that God has not cast his people away. Paul says, “I'm here! A descendant of Abraham. A member of the tribe of Benjamin. If God had cast his people away, I wouldn't be here.” So even though the nation by and large rejected the Messiah, not all do, because Paul did not.
What do we know about Paul? If there was ever a hater of the gospel, it was him. He killed Christians. He was a blasphemer. He persecuted Christians. If ever there was someone who ought never have been able to enter in to the covenant with Messiah, it should be Paul. But what happened to Paul? Christ came to him! Paul discovered His Holiness and his mercy.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I (2 Corinthians 11:22)
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (Philippians 3:4-9)
Look at verse two. Un quote God has not rejected his people whom he for knew.” We think to four know it is to know something before it happens. That's not the idea of the Greek word PROGINSK. It doesn't mean to know something for it happens, it means to determine. In essence, it means he has not cast away Israel, he predetermined himself to love.
If you understand the Bible use of the word no, then you understand the level of intimacy that Paul is describing. In the Old Testament the Bible uses the word no, as in, a man knew his wife and she had a child. It's a knowing intimacy. It's not necessarily sexual, but it is an intimate love.
“You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. (Amos 3:2)
The Bible identifies several groups of people who were preordained for God's love. First is Christ, the Son of God. Second is Israel. Third is the church.
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
So if God has predetermined before the foundation of the world to set His love upon His people Israel, he's not going to change h\His mind. The first evidence of this is Paul himself. The second evidence of this is in the remnant of Israel. Here, Paul draws from the example of Elijah.
If you remember the story of Elijah, you know That he was the focal point of Jezebel's anger and hatred because he represented the true God. All of Israel was in great apostasy and worshipping demonic gods. We see this happen in 1 Kings chapters 18 and 19. All of this culminates on the top of Mount Carmel against the 400 prophets of Baal. You may remember that all day long the prophets of Baal chanted and cut themselves to bring down fire to burn up the offering. When they could no longer do the rituals, Elijah called for water and they drowned the whole altar and sacrifice with water. He then simply called out to God and the sacrifice was burned up and everything insight, including the prophets of bail. This was a great victory.
Now what did Elijah expect out of this? Immediate revival and restoration of worship around Israel to the one true God. He expected that the victory was complete. But then when it didn't happen he got very depressed. Not only that Jezebel was pursuing Elijah to kill him.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19:9-10)
Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)
The point is that Elijah felt all alone. But through all this, God had actually preserved 7000 faithful believers. Just as God preserved the believers during Israel’s apostasy under Ahab’s rule, God also has preserved a remnant of Israel today. In other words, Israel’s security is in God's hands, not in Israel's hands.
By the way, Baal worship is still alive and well today. Baal Is associated with the female God Ashraf and with the Greek God Astarte and with the queen of heaven and with Venus. So Baal appears in all different kinds of Pagan forms, sometimes male sometimes female and that's pretty common and why transgenderism is so closely associated with Satanism.
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. (Matthew 12:27)
All throughout Israel’s history, a remnant of Israel has always been preserved. In Elijah’s time, there were 7000 in the remnant. There was a remnant among the people with Daniel. There was a remnant among the people under the leadership of Ezra. And when Jesus came, the whole nation of Israel was apostate, but he too had his remnant. And his remnant was John the Baptist and his followers. His remnant was Anna. His remnant was simian. Even in Paul's time, there was a remnant. During the persecution of Hitler and in Russia and all other nations, God has preserved a remnant, and that is astounding as in 1948, the Nation of Israel was restored. God has never totally rejected Israel, but has preserved them.
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. (Malachi 3:16)
For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: (Zechariah 2:8)
The expression, “the apple of his eye,” is an amazing and endearing expression. Deuteronomy 32:10 literally is translated in the Hebrew, “the little man of the eye.” In other words, when you get close enough to someone to look right into the eye, you will see the reflection of yourself. That is called the little man of the eye. So when God says that Israel is the apple of his eye, he is saying that they are the portion of the eye which is a reflection in Him.
What does this say about God's relationship to Israel? Well first they are precious. The eye is something that is to be carefully protected. No one wants to lose their sight. So, Israel is always carefully protected. So anyone who effects Israel negatively or harms Israel is essentially poking their finger in the eye of God.
Now, Paul concludes this section with verse 7 and some Old Testament references.
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, (Romans 11:7)
What is Paul saying? Israel has a zeal and are earnestly seeking, but it is not according to knowledge. In essence, they are ignorant of God's righteousness and they go about establishing their own righteousness this hardens their heart poor God.
Verse 8 is fascinating because it comes from two different Old Testament verses that are combined together in one period the first one is Isaiah 29:10 and the second half comes from Deuteronomy 29:4. In other words, the present day unbelief does not alter the plan of God, rather it is the plan of God. God planned for Israel’s rejection. So Paul is saying that Israel’s rejection does it mean God has permanently set them aside, rather Paul says he's living proof, there's a remnant still out there, and it fits right into the prophetic picture of God's plan. Moses said it. Isaiah said it. David said it. And Israel will be restored very soon.
Look at the bombings and attacks that are happening daily on the land of Israel. Some 20,000 plus rockets, drones, bombs, missiles have been sent at Israel’s land non-stop. In fact since October 7th it has picked up exponentially. How many times has God watched over Israel and preserved the land? Daily!
II. “Grafted In” - Setting Aside Israel is Part of God’s Purpose
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:11-25)
We know that Israel is a place of constant danger. They are surrounded by nations that hate them that do not want them in existence. We know that Israel is in constant bombardment from missiles and rockets. Since October 7th, 2023 Israel has been attacked by over 20,000 rockets. If it not for the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, Israel would be laid to waste.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)
Throughout all of history they have lived with this incessant threat of their existence and continue to exist beyond all odds.
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” (Psalm 2:1-3)
Thus says the Lord: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:37)
God has not allowed Israel to totally fall away. God has given them a spirit of slumber and clouded their eyes and ears from the truth, but that does not mean that God is finished with them. Israel's fall is not permanent. They stumbled, but that does not mean they will never get back up again.
The return of the nation in 1948 is a prophetic testimony to the world. The nation of Israel is not dead. There are these so-called anti Zionist Jews that are making the news. The left and the anti-semits want to spin this in some form to show that Israel is a nation is not the same thing as the Kingdom God will establish. I was asking Olivier about them and he calls them a national embarrassment. They wear orthodox clothing with the Palestinian checkered scarf.
So why was the nation of Israel put aside? One reason that Paul points out is through their fall, salvation is brought to the gentiles which is to provoke them to jealousy. That is a marvelous statement because it indicates a far different purpose then to set them aside permanently. Rather it's something for restoration.
Additionally we see that the purpose of israel's fall is also to bring gentile salvation. In other words the fall of Israel is an act of grace from God for the salvation of non Jews. When Israel fell away, the gospel was taken to the Gentiles.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12)
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. (Matthew 21:43)
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46)
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (Acts 28:23)
What Paul wants us to understand is that the setting of side of Israel had a definite purpose. It is so that God could take the gospel to the rest of the world. God cannot reach the World through the Jews, so he did so by setting them aside. This temporary blindness on Israel is to allow the gathering of the full redeemed group from among the gentiles as we will see in verse 25. This is a very important truth.
The second purpose is to provoke jealousy in the Jews (v.11). This is a very critical point. God's purpose in allowing them to stumble was not punitive but restorative. And bringing about salvation to the gentiles would also, in turn, provoke them to jealousy that they, too, may be saved.
There are, examples of the testimony of gentiles bringing many Jewish believers to faith.
The third purpose is worldly blessing. This is absolutely incredible look at verse12: Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (Romans 11:12)
I want you to think about this marvelous truth. The modern world would not be the place it is today without Israel and the Jews.
LIST OF JEWISH INNOVATIONS (Just to name a few)
• The Pill Camera
• Waze
• The Firewall
• The USB Drive
• Drip Irrigation
• The Cherry Tomato
• Mobile Phones
22% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish
Paul's point is that even in their sin, Israel has enriched and blessed the whole world. And if in their sin and their loss they have brought about great things (Not to mention bringing salvation to the gentiles) how much greater will the world be through Jewish accomplishment in the Kingdom of God?! That “how much more” is what's going to happen when Israel finally believes and put trust in God. The Kingdom is coming, and it will be the Jews that will restore the glory of the renewed heaven and earth. There will be one law and one King. There will be one universal peace. There will be worldwide righteousness, worship, and wisdom. Prosperity will reign everywhere because of the blessedness of the Jews under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Now, based upon that, Paul exhorts the gentiles in Rome (v.13).
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:13-16)
What Paul is saying is the plan of God was laid out so that Gentile salvation will provoke Jewish jealousy, which leads to worldly blessing in the coming millennial Kingdom. If the casting away of Israel can have such great results, what will the reception of them be? The positive, “life from the dead” as the Apostle Paul put it, is not individual resurrection, but a national rebirth to a worldly Kingdom. I think that's the best way to interpret this phrase. When Israel is revived, he's not talking about individual resurrection, but a national resurrection to a place of blessing. In other words Israel, when the Kingdom comes, will be delivered from its spiritually dead state and it will be giving new life.
With that statement, Paul gives a very strong warning to us gentiles. Our warning is not to be boastful and our blessing. To wrap this whole truth up, Paul gives an analogy of trees, branches, and grafting.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. (Romans 11:17-21)
It was customary in Israel to give new life to an old olive tree, when the olive tree ceased to bear fruit. As you may know olive trees in Israel can get very very old. It is believed that some of the olive trees in Israel today date back to the time of Jesus. So when an olive tree would become unproductive, they would cut off the old branches from the tree, and in a process called grafting, a new branch, or a wild shoot from a wild olive tree that would be productive would be grafted into the tree. The purpose of this is to gather the strength of those old roots and combine it with the strength of a new branch and in doing so the tree would produce more fruit.
This is the analogy that Paul is using to describe why God took the gentiles and established the church. The trunk, is the trunk of blessing or the trunk of special relationship with the living God. The branches, the old branches, are Israel,
The Lord once called you ‘a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.’ But with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed. 17 The Lord of hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you, because of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done, provoking me to anger by making offerings to Baal.” (Jeremiah 11:16-17)
6 his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. (Hosea 14:6)
However, Israel in their unbelief became unproductive and so God came along and cut the old unproductive branches off. In doing so he also grafted in wild olive branches, or gentiles. But not all of the branches were cut off were they? We know this, because there's always been a remnant. The point is that apart from Christ we can do nothing. We are dependent upon the trunk and the roots of God and therefore we should not boast. The branch does not carry the root, the root carries the branch.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:5-7)
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13)
20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. (Romans 11:20-21)
It was Israel’s unbelief that they were broken off. And it is faith that grafts us in. All of this is done at the choice of who? The gardener. You see, God had to cut off Israel because of their unbelief and I believe that in the future he's going to do the same thing with the church. The apostate church is more common than the church alive today.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:5)
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)
22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, (Revelation 2:22)
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
Throughout history there has been a demonic vein of anti-Semitism that has found its way into the church. At the root of replacement theology is an anti-Semitic vein. One of the Scriptures that is used to justify this kind of false teaching is found in Paul's writing regarding cutting off Israel. What false teachers do is they extract only portions of scripture out of context to twist them into their own beliefs. Paul makes it clear in Chapter 11 that Israel has been set aside, but only temporary, and the Church’s current place of blessing is only temporary.
So instead of being boastful and proud that we've been grafted in and the Jews who have been cut off, we ought to be afraid because Israel's unique privileges provided no protection for them against their unbelief.
The American church is in trouble. It is in trouble because of liberalism and its rejection of the truth of scripture, attacks on the deity of Jesus Christ, departure from sound doctrine, and all sorts of Pagan ideologies that have been introduced into the church's teaching, worship, and culture. We now have a church that is, by all accounts, unbelieving with a small remnant.
III. Setting Israel Aside is Part of God’s Great Purpose
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:25-36)
5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! (Psalm 92:5)
Remember that we are dealing with the place of Israel in the saving plan of God. Paul is answering questions that he anticipates will be asked by those who will say, “if the gospel is true and the Jews rejected it, has not God permanently set them aside?” Remember, that Paul said in Chapter 9 that the Jewish rejection Of the gospel was not contrary to God's plan but rather it was part of God's plan. In chapter 10 Paul reminds us that Israel’s rejection was due to their own unbelief instead of some shortcoming with God.
Now in Chapter 11 we see that through their blindness and the hardness of their hearts, Israel’s rejection of the gospel is actually part of God's marvelous plan that will lead to the salvation of the Gentiles and then ultimately the salvation of the Jews for the blessing of the world and the millennial Kingdom. Everything is coming together for God's own glory. That is the thing we must understand.
The goal of everything that happens in the entire universe is for the glory of God. The reason that God set out to redeem man, both Jew and gentile, is that he may be glorified. The ultimate purpose is not salvation in and of itself. The ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, (Isaiah 43:20)
There are two aspects to God's glory. The first is called his intrinsic glory. That is the glory of his essential being. We can add to it and we can't take away from it. However, we must recognize it.
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
The other aspect is His extrinsic glory. That is the honor with which we give to him for His intrinsic glory. When we glorify God, it isn't that we're adding to his character and His Holiness, it is that we are recognizing it, affirming it, and worshipping it.
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16:23-25)
Now comment in this section we we'll see that Paul states that God setting aside of Israel has a great purpose.
• It Emphasizes God’s Sovereignty
• It Upholds God’s Integrity
• It Magnifies God’s Generosity
• It Underscores God’s Incomprehensibility
Let us first of all look at God's sovereignty in Romans 11:25. 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
We need to remember first that Paul just ended a warning to the Gentiles in the Church. Gentile believers were grafted into the tree of righteousness. With that, Paul's warning is that we are not to be proud, which leads to antisemitism. This is an important warning for today because we are seeing Israel come back into the place of blessing and the church is going to be cut off. As apostasy increases through the church, there will be a remnant of the church who will stand firm under the blessing of God. In other words God is not finished with Israel.
If you remember, Paul opens Chapter 9 with a very heavy heart period now Paul is approaching Chapter 11 with great joy as he presents the single most hopeful truth that he carries in his heart. And he calls it a mystery.
Now understanding “mystery” in the Bible is important. We typically think of a ‘mystery’ secret or puzzling. The Greek word mysterion is different, however. Mysterion is a something hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God. Paul uses the word mystery 21 times in his epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth revealed by God through divine inspiration. So, biblically speaking a mystery is something that can be known, but through Divine revelation of Scripture.
What was hidden in the past but now being revealed is that Israel would be cut off from God's blessing, the gentiles grafted in, and then Israel grafted back into the prominent place of blessing. Remember also, that there is always been a believing remnant in Israel. So Paul says In the 1st 10 verses of Chapter 11 that Israel’s blindness was only partial; God had a remnant. Secondly, it was not only partial, but it was passing. That is only until the fullness of the gentiles come in. So the mystery was that Israel was set aside partially and temporarily.
It is interesting that part of that mystery includes, “the fullness of the gentiles has come in.” “Fullness,” indicates a number of completion and the term “come in” is used for entering the kingdom.
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, (Acts 15:12-6)
So the gentiles correlates directly with the beginning of God redeeming Israel. What is that? It is the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the 70th Week of Daniel also known as the Great Tribulation. This brings us to a great and mighty verse:
26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; (Romans 11:26)
Now there is a lot of unnecessary speculation around what Paul meant by “all of Israel shall be saved.” Really come there's no other way to interpret this than as the nation of Israel. It cannot refer to a Jewish remnant, obviously. Another viewpoint common with amillennialists is to say that “all means some other kind of remnant. Doctrinally and biblically, it is obvious that “all” does not mean all jews past present and future. The Bible is very clear that God purges out the unbelieving Jews (cf Ezekiel 20:33-38). So the best interpretation is that Paul is referring to Israel as a nation When at the coming of Christ the nation of Israel will embrace Messiah. This is the national restoration of Israel as told by the prophets:
3 For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.” (Jeremiah 30:3)
14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God. (Amos 9:14-15)
19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:19-20)
The purpose of all of this, as we have said, is to put God's sovereignty on display. God controls history. Human history, especially what we are seeing happening in our world today, is moving unwaveringly on a track that God has established. In other words, God is not a victim. He is not reacting the man's antics. He's not adjusting himself to what happens in the world. God has a plan and that plan is coming to fruition.
Secondly, all of this upholds God's integrity. In saving Israel, God reveals himself to be a God who keeps His promises.
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:27)
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. 21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” (Isaiah 59:20-21)
When God makes a promise he keeps it completely. If you remember back in genesis 15 God formed a very unique covenant with Abraham. And God split animals in half, one on each side and passed through the two halves of the animals. First, these covenants were cut by blood and when you make this kind of covenant you are saying let it be done to these animals to me if my promise is not kept.
19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19)
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:28-29)
Paul reiterates the fact that because of Israel’s unbelief they are considered enemies. We've talked about this. Presently they are enemies of God. But look at the second-half of verse 28. This because Paul will not let go of the mercy of God. He says with regards to election they are beloved. Concerning the gospel, they are currently enemies, but God chose them. They are elected to a very special position and it is the grace and mercy of God that will bring them back together. God keeps His word, verse 29, for the gifts, and the grace of God are irrevocable. If you are weary of people who make promises they never keep, then look at God in contrast.
3 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. (Psalm 119:38)
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Third, the setting aside and restoration of Israel magnifies God's generosity.
30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:30-32)
The keyword in this section is mercy Period now, remember how Paul has put this argument together. Yes, Chapter 9 says, Israel is set aside temporarily impartially. Chapter 10 tells us that they are set aside because of their unbelief. Chapter 11 reminds us that they are not set aside altogether because there's a remnant of believers. While they are set aside they are not a nation of testimony and witness, the gentile church has been brought into that place of blessing.
So verse 30 indicates that the majority of the congregation was indeed Gentile. The reason the gospel went to the gentiles was because the Jews rejected it. The marvelous truth in this is that we owe our salvation to Jewish unbelief, don't we? We have no reason to boast, we have no reason to be proud, we have no reason to look down on the Jew. The truth of the matter is their unbelief should give us thanks because we were grafted in through that unbelief.
We are recipients of God's mercy. That should be very humbling. Our salvation is not by merit. It is by grace alone through faith alone. If it were not for God's mercy we would spend an eternity in hell, burning in that place without any escape.
16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. (Psalm 59:16)
32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:32)
Why didn't God just make us into a bunch of sinless robots? Because God has in his nature an attribute of great mercy. God is a God of mercy. So God must reveal that mercy and be glorified for that mercy by showing mercy to the Sinner. Why did God allow sin? The ultimate answer is that God must allow it to happen in order to demonstrate his glory and His Holiness and his justice against our sinfulness. Verse 32, “God has consigned all to disobedience so that he may have mercy on all.”
The truth of the matter is you can't comprehend God's mercy without understanding His Holiness, his wrath, and his justice. On a side note, you notice at the end of verse 32 it says that he might have mercy on “all.”. That does not teach universalism or salvation to the whole of mankind, it's simply means “all” in the sense of the gentile church and the Jewish nation.
Finally, Paul breaks into a doxology starting in verse 33 to the end of the chapter where we see that all of this underscores God's incomprehensibility.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans11:33-36)
5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! (Psalm 92:35)
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)
Behind all of this and God's plan is the truth that despite all of our best efforts, and everything that we have within us, it is impossible for us to fully comprehend who God is, and may I add, especially when it comes to the love and the mercy of God.
Do you remember God’s answer to Job after enduring the long diatribe with his friends? By God's sovereign choice, Satan is permitted to bring great distress into Job’s life. After all of the talk and attempts to define God’s character and intentions, God finally brings things into proper perspective.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7)
11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. (Job 41:11)
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:2-3)
How does this marvelous Chapter end? Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” What a great climax to some powerful chapters here in Romans. Now that we have full comprehension of these, we can move onto the marvels of Chapter 12 starting next week.
