Romans 11

GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH ISRAEL!

For centuries people have been puzzled by the nation of Israel.

The Roman government recognized the Jewish religion, but it still called the nation secta nefaria—“a nefarious sect.”

The great historian Arnold Toynbee classified Israel as “a fossil civilization” and did not know what to do with it.

For some reason, the nation did not fit into his historical theories.

Paul devoted all of Romans 11 to presenting proof that God is not through with Israel.

We must not apply this chapter to the church today, because Paul is discussing a literal future for a literal nation.

He called five witnesses to prove there was a future in God’s plan for the Jews.

Paul Himself

Romans 11:1 AV

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.

If God has cast away His people, then how can the conversion of the Apostle Paul be explained?

Paul called himself “one born out of due time”

1 Corinthians 15:8 AV

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

In 1 Timothy 1:16 he stated that God saved him:

1 Timothy 1:16 AV

16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

This is why Paul used himself as the first witness.

He is the first of the Jewish Remnant that will be saved.

The Prophet Elijah

Romans 11:2–7 AV

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. 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. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Israel is God’s elect nation; He foreknew them, or chose them, and they are His.

The fact that most of the nation has rejected Christ is no proof that God has finished with His people.

In his day, Elijah thought that the nation had totally departed from God.

But Elijah discovered that there was yet a remnant of true believers.

He thought he was the only faithful Jew left and discovered that there were 7,000 more.

The Gentiles

Romans 11:11–15 AV

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?

In Romans 2:1–3 Paul used the Gentiles to prove the Jews guilty of sin, but here he used the Gentiles to assure Israel of a future restoration.

His logic here is beautiful.

When the Jews rejected the Gospel, God sent it to the Gentiles and they believed and were saved.

God promised that the Gentiles would be saved (Rom. 9:25–26) and He kept His promise.

Will He not also keep His promise to the Jews?

The Patriarchs

(Rom. 11:16–24)

From looking at the future, Paul next looked to the past to show Israel’s spiritual heritage.

From the beginning, Israel was a special people, set apart by God.

Paul used two illustrations to prove his argument that God was not finished with the Jews.

The lump of dough

Romans 11:16 AV

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

The reference here is to Numbers 15:17–21.

The first part of the dough was to be offered up to God as a symbol that the entire lump belonged to Him.

The basic idea is that when God accepts the part He sanctifies the whole.

Applying this to the history of Israel, we understand Paul’s argument.

God accepted the founder of the nation, Abraham, and in so doing set apart his descendants as well.

God also accepted the other patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, in spite of their sins or failings.

This means that God must accept the “rest of the lump”—the nation of Israel.

The olive tree

Romans 11:16–17 AV

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the 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;

This is a symbol of the nation of Israel (Jer. 11:16–17; Hosea 14:4–6).

The roots of the tree support the tree; again, this was a symbol of the patriarchs who founded the nation.

God made His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He cannot deny them or change them.

Thus, it is God’s promise to Abraham that sustains Israel even today.

Many of the Jewish people did not believe. Paul pictured them as branches broken off the tree.

But he saw an amazing thing taking place: other branches were grafted into the tree to share in the life of the tree.

These branches were the Gentiles.

God Himself

Paul saved his best witness for the last.

He proved that the very character and work of God were involved in the future of Israel.

God’s timing

Romans 11:25 AV

25 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.

What has happened to Israel is all a part of God’s plan, and He knows what He is doing.

The blinding (or hardening, Rom. 11:7) of Israel as a nation is neither total nor final: it is partial and temporary. How long will it last?

“Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom. 11:25).

God’s promise

Romans 11:26 AV

26 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:

The reference here is Isaiah 59:20–21; and you ought to read Isaiah 60 to complete the picture.

God has promised to save His people, and He will keep His promise.

God’s covenant

Romans 11:27–28 AV

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

This is, of course, a continuation of the quotation from Isaiah 59; but the emphasis is on the covenant of God with Israel.

God chose Israel in His grace and not because of any merit in her.

If the nation was not chosen because of its goodness, can it be rejected because of its sin? “Election” means grace, not merit.

God’s nature

Romans 11:29 AV

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Malachi 3:6 AV

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Numbers 23:19 AV

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

God’s gifts to Israel, and God’s calling of Israel, cannot be taken back or changed, or God would cease to be true to His own perfect nature.

The fact that Israel may not enjoy her gifts, or live up to her privileges as an elect nation, does not affect this fact one bit. God will be consistent with Himself and true to His Word no matter what men may do.

Romans 3:3 AV

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

God’s grace

Romans 11:30–32 AV

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

“Because of the unbelief of the Jews, you Gentiles were saved,” said Paul.

“Now, may it be that through your salvation Israel will come to know Christ.”

Note that Paul repeatedly reminded the saved Gentiles that they had a spiritual obligation to Israel to “provoke them to jealousy”

Romans 11:11 AV

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.

Israel’s hardness is only “in part” (Rom. 11:25), which means that individual Jews can be saved.

Conclusion

Paul summoned five witnesses, and they all agreed: there is a future for Israel.

When Israel recovers from her “fall” and enters into her “fullness,” the world will experience the riches of God’s grace as never before.

When Jesus Christ returns and sits on David’s throne to reign over His kingdom, then Israel will be “reconciled” and “received,” and it will be like a resurrection!