The faithfulness of God

Romans 11:25–27 ESV

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. 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”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

The Restoration of the Jews The Restoration of the Jews

On this place observe, First, That the apostle here explains some mystery; that is, a secret thing, not known but by revelation, and taken notice of but by few, and happening beyond the expectation and judgment of reason; in fine, the whole method and manner of executing which, lies in a great p 6 measure concealed.

1 Corinthians 2:7–8 ESV

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Isaiah prophesied the hardening of Israel.

Acts 28:24–25 ESV

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

Acts 28:26 ESV

“ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

Isaiah 29:10–11 ESV

For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers). And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

The Restoration of the Jews The Restoration of the Jews

That blindness is to continue upon them no longer, than till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; that is, till the Gospel is preached among all nations of the world whatever, which, indeed, began to be done by the apostles and their fellow-labourers; but could not be done perfectly, both on account of the extent of the world and the shortness of human life, and likewise because many nations (as all the American) were at that time unknown. This, therefore, still remains to be done successively;

The Restoration of the Jews The Restoration of the Jews

GOD; in his admirable providence, paving the way for his word. The offer of grace was first made to the Israelites. When they refused, it was sent to the Gentiles; but when the fulness of them shall be brought in, it will be again given to the Israelites, that the last may be first, and the first last. Luke 13:30; see Luke 21:24.

Luke 13:30 ESV

And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Luke 21:24 ESV

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Restoration of the Jews The Restoration of the Jews

Peter Martyr has judiciously explained the fulness of the Gentiles, and the whole body of Israel, in the following words: “But we are to understand a limited fulness, and a fixed and determined collection: which is therefore called fulness because there will be an exact and a very p 8 great number of believers, so that the church shall be publicly owned, and had in great esteem among the Gentiles, just as all Israel is to be taken for a great number of Jews, among whom CHRIST should be publicly acknowledged; not that some, as well of the Gentiles as Jews, shall not be lost.”

Matthew 3:10 ESV

Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Isaiah 59:20 ESV

“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

The Restoration of the Jews The Restoration of the Jews

First, That the apostle here very justly explains Zion and Jacob of the Jews; for, these are the natural sons of Jacob, natives, citizens of Zion; the others are only naturalized: that name, therefore, primarily and of itself agrees to them.

Isaiah 59:21 ESV

“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

Leviticus 26:44–45 ESV

Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God. But I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.”

Jeremiah 50:20 ESV

In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.

Deuteronomy 4:30–31 ESV

When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

Hosea 3:5 ESV

Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.