Not Ashamed-Part 38-

Introduction-Romans 11:1-24

At the close of the previous chapter we learned that though God had stretched forth His hands to save the people of Israel the vast majority had rejected Him.

This now leads to the opening question that Paul submits in chapter 11. Has God cast away His people? Are the people of Israel not longer the people of God?

Once more Paul answers this question with a forceful reply “God forbid.”

This then opens the discussion which follows concerning the future of the nation of Israel and also the opportunity which God has now given to the Gentiles.

Tonight we will consider the destiny of the people of Israel and alongside this we will also learn of the impact that this has upon the destiny of the Gentiles.

First we will consider the suggestion that God has cast off the people of Israel and Paul’s response to this idea.

Not Cast Off (Vs. 1-2a)

The simply answer to the question has God cast away the people of Israel is no He has not.

Paul submits himself as the proof that this is not the cast for he is a member of the people of Israel as a decendant of Abraham being born of the tribe of Benjamin.

The very idea that God would suddenly choose to turn His back on the people that He had chosen is contradictory to God’s nature.

It is not as though God was unaware of the choices that the people of Israel would make when He chose them in the beginning.

The fact that Israel as a whole has rejected Him comes as no surprise to God for this is what He knew would happen even when He chose them for His own.