Hardening of Israel to Benefit Israel (11:11-32)
The Epistle to the Romans • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsThis lesson on Romans 11:11-32 was taught by elder Dick Bickings on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at New Life Bible Fellowship Church, Millsboro, DE
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
The rejection of the Jewish people is neither total nor final. Just as the rejection of Christ among the Jews has led to the acceptance of the gospel among the Gentiles, so God means to use the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to envy the Gentiles’ blessings, leading to their salvation and correspondingly greater riches.
A. THE JEWISH STUMBLING AND GENTILE CONNECTION (11-16)
A. THE JEWISH STUMBLING AND GENTILE CONNECTION (11-16)
1. Salvation to the Gentiles an incentive for the Jews to repent (11-12)
1. Salvation to the Gentiles an incentive for the Jews to repent (11-12)
“…because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles”
It broke down the barrier between Jew and Gentile, Eph 2:14-15
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
The Jewish rejection of the Messiah sent the knowledge of him to others
Later in history (AD 70), the destruction of the temple showed that the worship of God was not to be confined to any single place
The scattering of the Jews (including Christian Jews) from Judea brought the gospel to other lands
The close of the Jewish economy provide the basis for the truth of God’s purpose to flourish
“…to make Israel envious.” - According to the prediction of Moses, De 32:21
21 They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! (12)-
full inclusion (pleroma) - fulness, completeness. Used 14x in NT (2x here in Chapter 11, v 12 & 25), such as:
Ephesians 4:13 (ESV)
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
2. This is one reason why Paul magnified his ministry to the Gentiles (13-16)
2. This is one reason why Paul magnified his ministry to the Gentiles (13-16)
“…I magnify (doxazo) my ministry...” (13)
“… make my fellow Jews jealous” (14)- to awaken zeal, or to an earnest desire to obtain the like blessings
“…rejection…reconciliation of the world,… acceptance…life from the dead?” (15)
“This image, therefore, in the apostle’s mind, was a striking illustration of the great change and reformation which should take place when the Jews should be restored, and the effect should be felt in the conversion also of the Gentile world. They are scattered everywhere; they have access to all people; they understand all languages; and their conversion would be like kindling up thousands of lights at once in the darkness of the pagan world.” - Barnes
Illustration of dough and branches (16)
small portion of dough or kneaded meal that was offered to God; and then the mass or lump (furama) was left for the use of him who made the offering, Nu 15:20
The root is to the tree as the lump is to the whole of the dough.
The idea of firstfruits was a small offering given to God of the very first fruit of harvest, with the promise of the full harvest to follow.
Who are the first fruits? The patriarchs, apostles, or even the gentile world.
These firstfruits are promises that a harvest is yet ahead.
B. WORDS OF WARNING AGAINST GENTILE CONCEIT (17-24)
B. WORDS OF WARNING AGAINST GENTILE CONCEIT (17-24)
Paul of course is writing to a gentile audience, and lest they think more highly of themselves because of God’s grace to them over the Jews, Paul reminds them that God’s sovereign plan is at work.
At any time, God could close the door on salvation to the gentiles in general.
1. Gentiles are but "wild branches" grafted in to the root (17-18)
1. Gentiles are but "wild branches" grafted in to the root (17-18)
This grafting not Individual or all inclusive
The grafting process. . .
The tree is one tree with a common root
2. To replace "broken branches", true, but can just as easily be displaced and replaced (19-24)
2. To replace "broken branches", true, but can just as easily be displaced and replaced (19-24)
Gentiles cannot boast because they too can be removed in general!
C. THE HARDENING AND BLESSING OF ISRAEL (25-32)
C. THE HARDENING AND BLESSING OF ISRAEL (25-32)
1. Hardening is partial, until the fullness of the Gentiles come in (25)
1. Hardening is partial, until the fullness of the Gentiles come in (25)
In part (meros) - partly, in a measure
Full (pleroma, same as in v. 12 - “full inclusion”) Number - completeness
In this way all Israel will be saved (26-27)
Three interpretations…
The Nation of Israel
The fullness of the Gentiles
Both Jew and Gentile believes (spiritual Israel) - I believe that in the context of this passage, this interpretation best fits the overall meaning of the text.
2. They may be enemies of the gospel, but they are beloved by God (28)
2. They may be enemies of the gospel, but they are beloved by God (28)
Jews as a people do not promote the gospel
Jews as an elect remnant are beloved of God
And they may obtain mercy just as the Gentiles did (29-32)
Irrevocable (ametameletos) - not repentant of, unregretted
Men bound by disobedience receive God’s Mercy
“Mercy is favour shown to the undeserving. It could not have been shown to the Jews and the Gentiles unless it was before proved that they were guilty, for this purpose proof was furnished that they were all in unbelief. It was clear, therefore, that if favour was shown to either, it must be on the same ground, that of mere undeserved mercy.” - Barnes