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.” Gentiles Grafted In 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. The Mystery of Israel's Salvation 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. Meditation The mystery of God’s sovereignty moves wonder to worship. Today’s opening question (“Has God rejected His people?”-1) ends in worshipful declaration- “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things!” 33-36). Faith in God and His sovereign grace wrestles with questions that will fertilize fruitful worship. God has not rejected Israel- Paul himself is “exhibit A” that God saves Israelites who trust Jesus! In the same way God preserved a remnant in Elijah’s day, so too there are descendants of Israel who have been preserved in God’s sovereignty. The hardening of hearts we see in history is not the end of the story (1-10). God uses Israel’s unbelief: non-Jews (like me!) have come to salvation and been grafted into the olive tree of God’s redemptive story (11-22). As all nations will hear and receive the gospel (though not every person will believe and be saved), so too all descendants of Israel will hear and may receive salvation through Christ (though not every descendant of Israel will believe and be saved) after God brings in the fullness of the Gentiles and lifts the hardening of their hearts. This 30,000-foot bird’s eye view (at least) helps us see the majesty of God’s sovereignty. God's mercy is shown to both Jews and Gentiles because God shows “mercy to all” (32). Faith alone in Christ alone is the only way for salvation- "first for the Jew and then for the Gentile." Faith partners believers with Paul in worshipful proclamation, “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (33). Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the revelation of the mystery of God’s sovereignty over salvation? -Are you comfortable knowing God holds all mystery in His sovereignty? Why or why not? -How does the revelation of salvation in Jesus Christ both give you security through your faith in Him and compel you to share with others salvation through Him? Key Verse 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!... 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |