God's Plan: for Israel & Gentiles
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Throughout history, Israel has played a prominent role in the world’s understanding of God and His grace. New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright said:
God has made a plan to save the world; Israel is the linchpin of this plan; but Israel has been unfaithful. What is now required, if the world’s sin is to be dealt with and a worldwide family created for Abraham, is a faithful Israelite. That is what God has now provided.
N. T. Wright
Recently, I’ve interacted with a number of people (some of which are “Christians”) who have made anti-semitic remarks.
It is impossible to be a follower of Jesus (who was a Jew) and hate Israel! Furthermore we need to understand that God’s plan still has plan for Israel!
Paul has been building an argument that Israel is still important to God despite the fact that He made a way for the Gentiles to have a relationship with Him.
L346ast week, we concluded Romans chapter 10. Paul concludes that God pursued Israel, but Israel did not respond to Jesus’ pursuits. Look at verse 21 of chapter 10.
But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
What’s Left of Israel
What’s Left of Israel
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul begins our section today with another rhetorical question. It’s a logical question that Paul asks in verse 1. “Did God reject his people?”
Paul’s answer is “No!”
After all, Paul, himself is a Jew--a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. So 6God did not abandon ALL the Jews (v. 1).
God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:
God did not reject his people that He “foreknew.” (v. 2a)
Now we have some O.T. passages sited.
—Elijah appealed to God against Israel (v. 2b). He was frustrated by the fact that Israel had killed God’s prophets, and torn down God’s altars.
“Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”?
—In fact, Elijah complained that he was the only prophet left (v. 3, cf. 1 Kings 19:10, 14).
And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
—God’s answer to him: “I have seven thousand prophets who have not bowed the knee to Baal” (v. 4, cf. 1 Kings 19:18).
So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
Likewise, today there is a remnant of Israel chosen by grace! (v. 5)
And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Salvation can either be based on grace or works, but not both. It is an either or proposition. Paul teaches that it is by grace.
Another Rhetorical Question
Another Rhetorical Question
What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,
Paul asks another rhetorical question, “What then.” This question could be translated “So then. . .” or “Here’s the situation. . .” (v. 7a).
Most of Israel did not find the favor of God that they were actually looking for (v. 7b).
A few did--because God chose them (v. 7c)!
But some of them their hearts were hardened (v. 7d).
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”
1st quote (Deut. 29:4; Jer. 29:10) (v. 8).
—They were lulled to sleep (a spirit of stupor) so that their eyes could not see.
—They were lulled to sleep so their ears could not hear.
—And they are still that way to this day.
And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”
2 quote (Ps. 69:22-23) (v. 9).
—Israel should have been a source of nourishment (table), but instead they have become a snare, a trap, and/or a stumbling block and bring retribution (repayment).
—They should have given clear vision, but now they cannot see (v. 10a).
—They should have been able to should have stood strong, but instead they are bent over with sufferings (v. 10b).
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
The situation in the previous verses looks bad. Does that mean that Israel can “never” recover?
Paul answers the question by saying, “No!” Then he begins to reveal how God is working.
Because of their transgressions salvation came to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous (v. 11).
But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
But if. . .
—Israel’s sin means riches for the world (v. 12a)
—Israel’s loss means riches for the Gentiles (v. 12b)
How much greater will their riches be with they are included fully again? (v. 12 c)
Paul points out that their rejection of God (and God’s requirements) brought about blessings for the Gentiles. In a greater manner, when they return to God their blessings will be even greater.
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
Paul says he is talking to (or about) his Gentile readers (v. 13a).
After all, he is the apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 9:15) (v. 13b).
Paul is proud of his ministry to the Gentiles, because he hopes that seeing the Gentiles relationship with God might make the Jews jealous (v. 14a).
And when they become jealous they might return to God and be saved (v. 14b).
For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Another rhetorical question: If the Jew’s rejection brought about reconciliation to the world, how much greater will their acceptance be--like being given life from death! (v. 15)
If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If part of the dough offered as fristfruits is holy, then it is all holy (v. 16a).
And if the root of a plant is holy then the branches are also holy (v. 16b).
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
Paul has already built the case for the fact that:
Some of the original branches (Jews) were broken off (removed) (v. 17a).
The were removed in order to add new branches--wild branches (Gentiles) (v. 17b).
And these new branches were graft into the nourishing sap of the olive root (Jesus) (v. 17c).
Warning:
do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Those who have been grafted in should not consider themselves to be superior to the other branches (so being a Gentile is not superior to being a Jew) (v. 18a).
Consider this:
—You don’t support the root (v. 18b).
—The root supports you! (v. 18c)
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.
Paul continues his warning about thinking Gentiles are “superior.”
You will say. . .
—Branches were broken off so I could be grafted in--interpretation, I’m special (v. 19).
—Don’t become arrogant (v. 20a).
—Instead tremble (Gk. phebeo--from which we get phobia; translations tremble, be afraid, fear, be frightened, terrified) (v. 20b)
For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
If God did not spare the natural branches, He won’t spare you either (v. 21)!
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Paul urges his readers to consider two things:
The kindness of God--because He has been kind to the Gentiles (v. 22a).
But we also must consider his sternness (Gk. severity, harshness,)--God was “harsh, or sever” with His chosen people and “cut them off” (v. 22b).
We need to continue to live in His kindness (v. 22c).
Otherwise we too could be cut off! (v. 22d).
And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Now what about the Jews who were cut off?
If they don’t persist in unbelief (i.e. they accept by faith that Jesus is the Messiah) they will be grafted in (v. 23a).
God is able to graft them in again (v. 23b).
After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
The Gentiles were grafted in out of a “wild olive tree” (v. 24a).
Grafted into Jesus--a life that is contrary to our nature--into a cultivated olive tree (v. 24b).
How much easier would it be for “natural branches” (the Jews) to be grafted into their own original olive tree (v. 24c)!
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
Paul says that he doesn’t want the Gentiles to become “conceited”--thinking more highly of themselves than they should!
Israel experienced a “temporary” hardening (dulling of their heart to God) of their heart so that all the Gentiles chosen by God could come into the family of God.
Amazing Thought: God hardened the hearts of the Jews so that non-Jews (Gentiles) could experience the loving, magnificent grace of God! But God has NOT forgotten His beloved Israel! Check out verse 26.
and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Paul says, that verse 25 really tells us how Israel will be “saved” (delivered from) [Isreal will be delivered from the horrible “tribulation” that will be brought by the Messiah’s return] (v. 26a).
Reference to Isaiah 59:20-21, 27:29, cf. Hebrews 8:10-12.
—A deliverer (Messiah) will come (v .26b):
From Zion (Jerusalem)
To turn the hearts of Israel away from godlessness.
And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
—This was part God’s Covenant with Israel (v. 27)
Specifically, that God would remove their sins--blot out their sin.
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
As for the gospel:
The Jews are enemies of the gospel for our sake! (v. 28a)
As for election:
The Jews continue to be loved by God on account of the patriarchs (v. 28b).
Paul reminds us that God’s gift and His calling are irrevocable (v. 29).
Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,
At one time you (Gentiles) were disobedient (v. 30a).
The Gentiles were disobedient so God could show His mercy (v. 30b).
so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.
So now because the Jews were disobedient--they too may now receive mercy (v. 31a).
So Gentiles receive mercy on account of the Jews, and the Jews receive mercy on account of the Gentiles (v. 31b).
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
KEY:
God has bound--(Gk. shut-up, confined, imprisoned, or enclosed) everyone over to disobedience (cf. Rom. 3:23)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
This was done so God could have mercy (show mercy) on everyone (cf. Rom. 6:23).
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So What?
So What?
God has a plan!
God’s plan includes a plan for both the Jews and the Gentiles!
The Jews were designed as a Theocracy (God ruled nation). They were to show the world what it means to live in a relationship with God.
The Gentiles were brought back into a relationship with God through Jesus—they have been “grafted in!”
But God is not done, or finished with the Jews—He still has a plan for them.
And God will carry out His plan as soon as He has brought to God all the Gentiles He has chosen.
None of us—neither the Jews, nor the Gentiles—should be conceited about their relationship with God! Because it ALL depends on God!