The Mercy Of God Series

Today we have come to the end of chapter 11 and also the end of the whole section of Rom 9-11 addressing the issue of the Jewish unbelief.

• Today’s passage is a continuation of last week’s section covered by Michael.

• Let’s recap Paul’s sequence of thought before we read the text.

(1) Israel’s rejection of the Gospel

(2) Move of the Gospel to the Gentiles, because of the Jews’ unbelief

(3) Salvation of the Gentiles, making Israel envious

(4) Final restoration of Israel in the end times

God did not forget Israel, although her rejection has led to the Gospel being preached among the Gentiles. God reached out to the Jews first.

• This has been the pattern we see in the book of Acts, in Paul’s missionary journeys.

• He would always enter the synagogue and preach to the Jews first.

Let me quote you a few incidents. On his first missionary journey, in Pisidian Antioch:

• Acts 13:46 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 14:1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

• Second journey in Corinth. Acts 18:6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

• In Ephesus. Acts 19:8-10 8And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

GOD HAS BEEN GRACIOUS TO THE JEWS. But with their rejection, the Gospel went to the Gentiles, which is also God’s will.

• Has God rejected His people? That was Paul’s first question in 11:1. No!

• The Gospel was preached to them first, and a remnant will believe.

• Last week in 11:11 Paul issued a second question: “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? [Did they fall beyond recovery?] By no means!”

THE SALVATION OF THE GENTILES will make Israel envious and can save some. Paul said it twice in v.11 and 14.

• Israel would see the blessings of God’s salvation, which was originally meant for her, now being showered upon the Gentiles.

• That would make them jealous. That would cause them to rethink their actions.

• Paul says, as an apostle to the Gentiles, “I magnify my ministry 14in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.” (11:13b-14)

So we see this movement in God’s work of salvation:

(1) Israel’s unbelief leading to the Gentiles hearing the Gospel and coming to faith;

(2) the Gentiles’ salvation becoming a draw for the Jewish people to re-examine their stand. It arouses them to envy and hopefully causes them to return.

(3) what we will be covering today, Paul tells of a mystery that God has revealed – the restoration of Israel at the end.

Romans 11:25-32

25Lest 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. 26And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob;

27and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

28As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

Israel’s failure is not going to be TOTAL or FINAL. Not total because there is a remnant that believes. Not final because God will yet show mercy again to Israel.

Paul has been telling the Gentile believers not to be arrogant or proud about their salvation.