Romans 11 Does Israel Possess a Future? by Dr. Jerry Vines By the Book A Chapter by Chapter Bible Study Series from Jerry Vines Ministries 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Suite 116 #249 Woodstock, GA 30189 Let s Begin Romans 9-11 could be called Paul s Jewish Trilogy. The thread woven throughout these chapters is, God is not finished with Israel. As we mentioned earlier, chapter 9 is about Israel s past, chapter 10 about Israel s present, and chapter 11 about Israel s future. And, for Israel s future there remains, according to Paul, a great national turning which awaits them. What is the turning about which Paul speaks? As a nation, Israel will turn to Jesus Christ as their Messiah. The promises God made to Israel so long ago are not cancelled, just postponed. Thus, we observe Paul making the case clear in Romans 11 concerning God s promises to the Jews. Let s follow the outline below: I. The Jews Remain a Remnant People (vv. 1-10) II. The Jews Receive a Remarkable Plan (vv. 11-24) III. The Jews Rely on a Revival Promise (vv. 25-36) I. The Jews Remain a Remnant People (vv. 1-10) Paul s message comes from deep within him, I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying (vv. 1-2). First, Paul had a burning message about the remnant people known as the Jews. Recall Paul s primary thrust in ministry was to the Gentiles, not the Jews. However, he never forgot his kinsmen. The latter half of chapter 10 closes with his appeal to the Jewish people, an invitation from God Who laments, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (v. 21). Some had no doubt concluded God had cast away Israel because they were a disobedient and gainsaying people. The term cast away means to push away from one s self or to repudiate. While God had every right to push His people aside because of their disobedience, any relationship with the God of the Bible is always based in grace, not obedience. Do you think God would be just if He offered no special future to Israel? Why or why not? Is there any difference between God forgiving us our sin and God forgiving Israel their sin? Explain. After all, they are His people, a special treasure of His own (cp. Exod. 19:5; Psalm 135:4). Though He may chastise them, rebuke them, or correct them, His people remain His people. The truth is, we want it like this! Indeed, we need it like this! Who would want to be pushed away? We may fail, but He never casts us out. The security this forges deep within our hearts cannot be overstated. He will never let us down! Second, Paul revealed a believing minority about the people known as the Jews (vv. 3-6). God has not abandoned His plan. Paul insists, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (vv. 3-5). The remnant God keeps by His grace (v. 5), is the remnant He foreknew (v. 2). Thus, if there is change, it is only in the sense of a parenthesis status, which, according to Biblical promise, will one day be over.
Romans 11 Page 2 of 5 Paul employs the example of Elijah to make his case (v. 3; cp. 1 Kings 18-19). Elijah ministered during a great apostasy on Israel s part. In fact, he believed himself to be left alone in serving the true and living God. Nonetheless, God replied, I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. At times it is very easy for us to imagine we are the only ones serving God. Know, however, God never leaves Himself without a witness. He knows something Elijah does not! God has a remnant a people true to Jesus no matter what circumstances rule or how dark matters may appear to be. God has kindling wood when He desires to start a fire. Note also the Apostle s contrast on grace versus works, And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: If we are saved by our deeds, grace cannot be considered, and vice versa. otherwise work is no more work (v. 6). Grace and works are sworn enemies when it comes to vying for relationship with God. One cancels out the other. If we are saved by our deeds, grace cannot be considered, and vice versa. Paul makes it ever so clear: only grace saves, never works. Third, Paul proclaimed a blinded majority ruled the people known as the Jews (vv. 7-10). Of the majority, he writes, What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day (vv. 7-8). The application Paul gives concerning the blind majority is to Israel. We cannot miss the application to us all, however. Anyone who chooses a path of sin fits the category of blind majority. The Jews sought God the wrong way (cp. 10:3). Hence, the hole in their heart is never filled, a perpetual craving which can never be satisfied. Only Christ can open the eyes of the blind, causing people to see God. II. The Jews Receive a Remarkable Plan (vv. 11-24) There is great comfort in knowing God has a plan for the world. And, there is even more comfort knowing God has the power to fulfill it! In days when the world seems out of control, security is available nowhere else. God has a plan and His plan is magnificent. In His plan for the ages, Israel s temporary fall resulted in salvation for the Gentiles. The Gospel shared in your church today the Gospel upon which you may believe for everlasting life is the direct consequence of Israel s failure to embrace Jesus as Messiah. In the verses before us, the Jew and Gentile are considered nationally; in other words, their position as a nation in God s plan. Paul reveals God s plan for His people in three specific ways.
Romans 11 Page 3 of 5 Are you aware of the plan God has for your life? Explain. How often do you think of His plan? What difference does His plan have on the way you work? The way you spend time with your family? The way you participate in your church? First, God s remarkable plan expresses His benevolence for Israel. Paul writes, I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?... For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (vv. 11-15). The Bible is clear throughout: God loves all peoples ( John 3:16). He desires every person to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim.2:4). God does not desire any to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). No truth is more plain in the Word of God. Hence, since He loves all people, His plan is good for all people including the Jewish people who stumbled and consequently fell. Though prophesies unfolded before their eyes, they rejected the Lord of life. This did not hold God back from blessing them. He took the cruel deed of crucifying His only Son, overruled it, and the Gentiles were given an opportunity to be saved. Paul uses three words which ooze God s redemptive plan: salvation, riches, and reconciling. He desires the whole race to have the opportunity to be saved, offering them heaven s glory reconciliation from their ragged, sinful state to riches beyond compare (cp. 2 Cor. 5:19-21). And, the Jews fall led to the Gentile s fulness. Though the Jews experienced a casting away, Paul s point is, they gained a receiving back to God which translated to a life from the dead. Israel will have a glorious national resurrection (cp. Ezek. 37). Second, God s remarkable plan excludes any boasting from us (vv. 16-21). Paul describes the religious pride of his kinsmen, warning us from their example. Paul concludes, Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they Paul uses three words which ooze God s redemptive plan: salvation, riches, and reconciling. were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee (vv. 19-21). Pride can overcome the strongest believer. Paul teaches this lesson by using an illustration from horticulture. Israel is the natural branches and Gentiles are the wild olive. Though Gentiles were contrary to nature (v. 24), God miraculously grafted them into the tree. This spiritual privilege alone should exclude boasting and nurture an atmosphere of spiritual humility. Gentiles own a debt to Jews. Because of their rejection, we have eternal life! Third, God s remarkable plan exhibits balance toward both Israel and us (vv. 22-24). Paul continues, Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off (v. 22). As strange as it may be, some
Romans 11 Page 4 of 5 people reject the goodness of God, even in the face of fantastic evidence. For them, the severity of God will be swift. Thankfully, many receive the goodness of God and will not experience being cut off. III. The Jews Rely on a Revival Promise (vv. 25-36) Do you pray for the Jews to come to Christ? Why or why not? Virtually every week rogue nations threaten the tiny nation of Israel, some vowing to decimate their land. What do you make of their threats in light of God s Word? Explain. Paul opens the door to several ways to describe God s promise of revival to the Jews. For example, he speaks of the mystery of God (vv. 25-29). It has often been repeated, God works in mysterious ways. No clearer is this well-worn cliché evident than in Paul s words, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (v. 25). First, God s mystery is observed in the fall of Israel. Though Israel s fall was mysterious, it nevertheless was real. However, Israel s fall was only partial, not permanent, fatal nor final. Their house may be desolate but it is not destroyed (cp. Matt. 23:37-39). Today is harvest time. We must win to Jesus all we can. Next, note the fullness of Gentiles. Israel s desolation possessed Divine purpose: blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. The fulness of the Gentiles is a biblical phrase, sweeping in scope, including both political and spiritual overtones (cp. Luke 21:24; Acts 15:14). The time will come when God s redemptive purpose will be complete and the very last Gentile who will be saved is secured. Then, the Lord Himself will come for His church. Today is harvest time. We must win to Jesus all we can. As our Lord warned, night will descend when no man can work ( John 9:4). Finally, God s mystery may be observed in the future of Israel. Paul writes, And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (v. 26). Though Paul plainly says, all Israel shall be saved he does not mean every Jew who has ever lived. Instead, he means Israel as a nation will turn to the Lord. Even so, during what Scripture terms as a great tribulation (Rev. 7), Jews will experience a massive slaughter. Afterward, when Christ returns, the surviving remnant will, in its entirety, be converted. One day, the Jews will realize the horrors of the cross (cp. Zech. 12:10). Consequently, they will turn to the Lord as Messiah in repentance and humility. A second way Paul describes God s revival promise to the Jews is through the mercy of God (vv. 30-32). Paul writes, For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all (vv. 30-32). No less than four times is praise for God s mercy exhorted (cp.
Romans 11 Page 5 of 5 Ps. 103:10-11). Make no mistake: while Paul emphatically says God s purpose is to have mercy upon all, he does not mean universal salvation. Instead, Paul is speaking of a universal invitation to come to Christ! A third way Paul describes God s revival promise to the Jews is through the majesty of God (vv. 33-36). Only the mind of Almighty God could conceive a plan so wonderful and complete. Paul writes, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (v. 33). Our minds cannot fathom it (v. 33). His riches are too much to calculate. God s riches can never be gauged by any human standard. In the end, Paul can only throw up his hands in utter amazement, and so shall we, For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (v. 36). Golden Greek Nugget Paul writes in verse 5 of a remnant, Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Interestingly, this is the only place in the New Testament this term is used. It is a word whose root literally means leave. Thus, it means, what remains. Wrap Up The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation now for Jews and Gentiles alike. God s plan includes the entire race of men. Paul s burdened heart with which he began the chapter ended in a heart full of majesty and praise for the God of Israel. God s plan for the Jews astounds us. May we fall on our knees with grateful hearts that He offers mercy to all.