God’s Dealing With Israel - His Sovereignty
Chapter Nine: God is sovereign; concern for the Jew; some have believed, and some have not; balance of grace and free will
Chapter Ten: Israel has sinned; God’s setting aside of the Jews is not arbitrary; they rejected Christ, Who is the goal of the law.
Chapter Eleven: Combines thoughts of 9-10; the rejection of Israel is not forever, temporary blindness to fulfill God’s purpose; climax (all will be saved nationally). The faithfulness of God to Israel - The method that God used to deal with Israel is the same method He uses today - His enduring faithfulness! His faithfulness is proven in His actions and His grace is seen in His remnant.
11:1 The faithful promise of God: God has not cast away His people which He foreknew. Elijah in I Kings 19:8-18 - "I have reserved for myself 7000." They had not been cast aside, some at come to Christ and were redeemed. The prime example Paul uses is himself. He certainly was a Jew
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Phil 3:4-6
11:2 "God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew"
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29
11:2-4 The CRY of Elijah and God’s knowledge surpasses the knowledge and understanding of men. We think we are the only ones, and it is not so! Many others have come to Christ. We are all PART of that work of Christ for His people.
A misunderstanding or misapplication of this truth causes an ecumenical spirit. We must know that only those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, are the real remnant. Further, that Israel is not forgotten.
11:5 The faithful election of God - 9:27-29. Many in Israel had been elected, called by God’s grace.
11:6 The faithful consistency of God: always by grace
Gal. 2:16,21
11:7-10 The faithful sovereignty of God:
Isa. 29:10; 6:9; Deut. 29:4; Acts 28:26-30
11:11 It was a sad day when Israel uttered, "His blood be upon us and on our children" (Matt. 27:25). Israel did not stumble, just to fall. God’s design was for His purpose.
"provoke them to jealousy"/ parazhlwsai / to provoke to anger - Aor Act Inf / God’s blessing on the Gentiles will provoke the Jews to wake up.
11:12 The fall of Israel brought "riches" to the world and salvation to the Gentiles. Consider the greatness of God’s blessing when Israel has prospered. Acts 2 began the new ministry of the church. All can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, all can draw near by the blood of Christ! How much more blessing will come with Israel’s restoration?
11:13 Paul worked hard at fulfilling his commission as the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:16). Paul boasted among the Jews about the Gentiles.
11:14 By working hard at my calling, I may save also some of my brethren. "Emulation" = jealousy
11:15 More blessing from God when Jews get saved. After Israel’s total rejection of Christ, God brought total salvation to the world (2 Cor. 5:19). Christ came first for Israel. When the Lord finally speaks everlasting comfort to His people, it is written, Isa. 40:1-5
11:16-17 Paul introduces the principle of the dedication of the first fruits, and the relationship between the root of a tree and its branches. Israel is the first fruits in God’s program of salvation and also the nation in which that salvation is rooted. Some of the branches have been broken off by unbelief.
The Gentiles, wild olive trees, have been grafted into the life of the Abrahamic root (Gal. 3:29) in place of the dead Jewish branches which have been discarded. Just unrepentant Israel was broken off. The wild branches gain strength from the root which still bears a remnant of Jewish believers.
11:18-24 A strong warning to Gentiles about their understanding of what has happened to unbelieving Jews. Just as the Jews of the Old Testament became proud thinking of the New Testament. Don’t disrespect the Jews. We were only grafted into the root by the grace of God.
11:25-32 Israel’s restoration is prophesied.
11:26-27 "And so" - lit. "And according" - Israel to be saved as a nation. Paul seals the restoration of the Jew by quoting Isa. 59:20. In the end of it all, Messiah is faithful to His promise and redemption by the Son of God will be a reality. They will see whom they have pierced, they will see His greatness and glory, and they will see the sword from the Word of His mouth devour the nations who have come against Israel.
Then they will know that this same Messiah who comes in glory is the same Messiah who was prophesied to provide forgiveness of sin and redemption. He is one and the same!
11:28-29 The Jews had been alienated by the Gospel, at the same time they are beloved of God. Still God’s chosen people. This proves that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. What God promises, He also performs.
11:30-32 Verse 30 is a repetition of verses 11,12,15,28. Jew and Gentile alike must realize that they are both undeserving sinners, and that both can receive the love and grace of God in salvation.
11:33-36 Israel’s restoration should provoke praise
11:33 Chapters 1-11 show two segments of society, Jew and Gentile. Rejection of Christ and then the expansion of the Gentiles. God will have mercy upon all. The wisdom and knowledge of God are greater than all of humanity. God’s wisdom provided the solution to man’s sin. That is far beyond our power to comprehend. We cannot search out that wisdom or trace it through history.
11:34 God, without any help, devised His plan. Eph. 1:9-11
11:35-36 The salvation of both Jew and Gentile is not based upon what we can give to God, but upon God’s grace alone. The Lord is the very reason for our existence.