Romans 11:1-24
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
Paul began Chapter 9 by showing how tragic it was that the Jew, who was given so much by God Romans 9:4–5 “4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Yet were completely unbelieving that Jesus was the Messiah
He goes on to explain that unbelief wasn’t because God had been unfaithful or was unjust toward them (9:6ff) but was because of God’s “purpose in election” (9:11) and was due to Israel stumbling over who they saw Jesus was and who He wasn’t (9:32) and in fact because of her outright rebellion toward God who was “stretching forth His hands for her” continuously(10:32)
God has not Rejected Israel
God has not Rejected Israel
There is a Remnant
There is a Remnant
1 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. 2 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, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 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.
Paul hears the question asked if everything he’s pointed out about their unbelief is true: Has God cast away His people?
God forbid! May it never be!
Then Paul gives his first reason that proves God hasn’t: his testimony.
If God can save me, He can save anyone!
But also that God chose His people Israel, the people of His covenant, which He has said was unbreakable.
God said so in His word: Psalm 94:14 “14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”
He gives a bit of Elijah’s story: 1 Kings 19:10 “10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
After God gave the victory to Elijah over the prophet’s of Baal, Elijah felt he was the only prophet left. God reminds him, not only is he not the only one left, 1 Kings 19:18 “18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
This is the implication, that God no only left a remnant that would testify to him in Elijah’s day, but also Paul’s day, and our day: Acts 14:17 “17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
Just as that remnant was chosen by God because of His grace and no other reason, so too now it’s by grace. The same way we are saved by grace through faith today, so too in Paul’s day, and in Elijah’s day. It’s only grace!
And if grace is God’s gift, then it’s not by works we are saved. Anything we add makes grace not grace any longer. Not going to church, it’s not “not drinking, or cussing”, it’s not loving your neighbor. All those things happen BECAUSE God was gracious.
I heard example of the Pharisee and the publican: Luke 18:11–12 “11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
God, I thank thee…if that’s followed by anything but God… If your prayer is “God, thank you for me… that I...” all of this takes the grace out of grace and makes it works. It’s not because of God but it’s because of you and that’s impossible!
If God chooses because of grace, then you can’t do enough, or be enough, or be good enough to earn it.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
This is Paul’s conclusion and he makes it clear. Most of Israel sought the righteousness of God and didn’t get it. It is by grace, and grace alone that God chose for His “purpose in election” some would be saved. When Paul says “the rest were blinded”, he is not saying that “God put His hand over the eyes” of some of the Jews who were trying to get to heaven so that they would be unable to get there. The Word of God is clear. Psalm 53:1–3 “1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
God doesn’t “send” anyone to hell. God doesn’t have to do anything for Israel then and men today to go to hell. Because of the fall without the grace of God shown to us, we don’t have any desire for heaven and are running to hell with arms wide open
But God, in His grace and mercy calls and draws and some are given a heart of flesh instead of the heart of stone we are born with and are saved
And every time a person rejects the offer of that grace and mercy, a person’s heart will grow a little harder
8 (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. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Like always, Paul backs up what he says with the Word of God
First he puts together a quote from Deuteronomy 29 and Isaiah 29:
Deuteronomy 29:2–4 “2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; 3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: 4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.”
Isaiah 29:10 “10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.”
There is a self-induced complete loss of spiritual sensitivity. Israel then and men today choose to be blind long before judgement comes because of their blindness (See John 14:8-17 where Jesus asks Phillip “Have I been so long with you?)
Second quote comes from Psalm 69...
Psalm 69:22–23 “22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.”
This passage is about an innocent victim of persecution that prays for God to both declare him innocent and judge his enemies. The table is a picture of God’s total provision and protection (Psalm 23:5 “5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” ). That protection and provision and grace and mercy that God gave to help when Israel was persecuted will now testify against them as the ones who put Christ to death
Jesus said it about himself (John 15:25 “25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”). The Jews see this as about the Messiah, so Paul is able to point out to them “who was once the persecuted (Israel) has now become the persecutor of Christ
Paul’s answer to if Israel has been cast away is not all, there’s a remnant, but the majority have become hardened in their heart to the truth of Jesus. So the question that leads to: “Is it hopeless for them?”
Gentiles Grafted In
Gentiles Grafted In
11 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. 12 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? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 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? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
Paul answers the question in three parts:
Part 1 (11a) Because of Israel’s rejection, salvation comes to the Gentiles
Acts 13, 14, 18, 19, and Acts 28 Luke writes about times Paul preached to the Jews who rejected it and were told by Paul, leads to an offer and acceptance by the Gentiles
Part 2 (11b) Paul here points out that the salvation given to the Gentiles after the rejection of the Jews would make the Jews jealous. In chapter 10 Paul points out Moses prophesied this to come back in Deut 32.
Paul knows that when Israel sees the blessings of salvation given to the Gentiles (being brought back together with God and each other, their forgiveness, their love, joy and peace through the Spirit), they will want those blessings for themselves and, will repent and believe in Jesus in order to secure them. Their jealousy will be used by God for their faith in Christ.
Part 3 (12) Israel’s repentance and faith will lead to greater riches for the world
If their fall leads to riches, how much more so them being brought back into true fellowship with the Father?
(13) Paul now points out how that relates to his ministry Romans 11:13 “13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”
Picture Paul preaching to the church in Rome, we know the custom was (old habits hard to break) for “Jewish” Christians and “Gentile” Christians to sit separately. Think of the left and right side of the church. He’s been preaching to the Jewish side for a minute and now he turns to the Gentile side “For I speak to you Gentiles”
Paul tells them he was made an apostle to them, and as such he completely gives himself to that office
(14) because he believes if by his witness and preaching the Gentiles would get saved, the jealousy might lead to some of his people, the Jews, to be saved Romans 11:14 “14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.”
Heard a lot about jealousy, not all jealousy is sinful and covetous. We say as much with statements like: “We want them to see the Jesus in us ans want some for themselves”. It’s good to covet prayers and salvation!
(15) the greater riches in 12 are life from the dead Romans 11:15 “15 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?”
some differences of opinion to what that means
every believer given life from the dead (yes, true)
the worldwide conversion of the Jew leads to the consummation or final resurrection
“If the fall of the Jews led to salvation of some Gentiles, how much more would a world wide conversion of the Jews”? It will lead to a worldwide revival that makes good on God’s promise to Abraham Genesis 22:17 “17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;”
I see some truth and possibility in all but I’ll stop where scripture stops and not make some kind of statement of fact when all I have is opinion and conjecture
(16) Paul gives examples of what this would be like Romans 11:16 “16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”
firstfruits represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
a little leaven works it’s way through the whole dough (Matthew 13:33 “33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
Holy Roots Lead to Holy Branches
Holy Roots Lead to Holy Branches
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 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.
broken branches are unbelieving Jews
wild branches are Gentiles
Gentiles should not presume to be more than the Jews because they were saved before the Jews who are saved
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
A promise to Israelite unbelievers that they could be restored
Conclusion
Conclusion
The story sounds a little backwards from what we know about what is normal in plant grafting. But God and Paul knew what Paul was saying
“In 1905 Sir William Ramsay—a Scottish chemist who won the Nobel Prize in 1904—wrote an interesting article, which is still quoted, in which he drew on both ancient and modern authorities.
“The process Paul described was still in use in Palestine ‘in exceptional circumstances…’, for ‘it is customary to reinvigorate an olive tree which is ceasing to bear fruit by grafting it with a shoot of the wild olive, so that the sap of the tree ennobles this wild shoot and the tree now again begins to bear fruit.’” Paul’s reference, therefore, is not to the ordinary process of grafting the young olive tree, but to a method of stimulating new growth and fruitfulness in an older olive tree that had stopped bearing fruit. In this case, what is contrary to nature (verse 24) is not the “grafting” but the “belonging,” namely, that the shoot has been cut from the wild olive tree to which it naturally belonged, and has been grafted into the cultivated olive tree to which it does not naturally belong.”
The Jews have not been cast off forever without hope, Paul is preaching about a world where God’s people are given faith and come to believe in Christ. That may not come early, or at first, but God’s people WILL COME.
If you’ve been saved now, don’t presume to be more special than others that will be saved later (including the Jews). Matthew 20:13–16 “13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
If you have lost family and friends who show no care about or even hostility to God, don’t assume God’s turned them over and they have no hope! The life God has given you and the light He can shine through you can be all the little bit of sap God uses to bring life to the dead and the lost into Christ!
If you aren’t saved, Paul is telling you the same thing he’s telling the Jews. As long as you have breath, you can be saved if you call out to God through Jesus Christ! But don’t presume to have another breath, because every one is a gift out of the grace and mercy of God!