God has NOT rejected His people. From the perspective of eternity, this is certainly true.
See, that’s the thing. We’re to trust in the Lord, ESPECIALLY because He sees so much more than we can, He does so much more than we could ever do. Granted, we could question Him, misunderstand Him, even doubt His moves (or lack thereof) in every season of our own lives… but ultimately, Creation MUST trust in its Creator.
Turbulent times would have us thinking to and fro, but let us not be so hasty – Trusting in the Lord takes the priority, no matter what. We’re celebrating our reconciliation, but let’s not forget the One whom we now call ‘Father’ has always been… and will always be gracious, glorious, and merciful.
There was already so much to unpack and take in from what I’ll call the first part of Romans 11. In reflection all I’m saying is that we do understand that God is good, and that God is for us, and not against us, but that doesn’t keep us from seeing how some of the things He did in the past (re: Pharaoh, Esau, and Israel), at the least would puzzle us, but at worst would offend us.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul was inspired to write what he did through Romans, to point out among a whole lot of other things that it all would eventually make sense, even if the outcome would be seen generations, even centuries later. We may question our Father, in our curiosity and even in our resentment, but praise God, because it all comes from our trusting in Him; the faith which has been authored in us through Christ has us trusting in Him.
Let’s keep going.
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
From the get-go we see that Paul has shifted to his audience of non-Jews, us Gentiles who have come to believe. Also, from what I understand, it was through the Jews’ rejection of Christ that the rest of the world was reconciled… Paul would remind us here, that if the Jews’ ‘failure’, ‘trespass’ and ‘rejection’ meant such a glorious salvation made freely available to the Gentiles, ‘how much more will their full inclusion mean!’
He writes in hope that these same Jews (his countrymen) would see the ministry and the salvation of the Gentiles, that they who once rejected, would now accept… and those who do accept would be brought from death to life, as all of us were.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
Paul presents the salvation to the Gentiles, or our salvation, from a different perspective: The Jews who have rejected Christ were as branches broken off, that we who were ‘wild’ would be grafted in ‘among the others’, sharing ‘in the nourishing root of the olive tree’
The same God whom Paul exclaimed in Romans 8 was faithful to cause all things to work for the good of those who love Him, here I’m assuming filled the space left behind by the branches with us.
And, of course, this was all God’s to do, demonstrating His glory and His love by being willing and able to graft us in. It’s not according to who we were, or what we did – not at all. We have no reason to boast in ourselves, much less act in arrogance.
See also that we’re the branches – naturally, dependent on the root. Indeed, may the branch never say that the root is nothing without it; It is not the root, but the branches that are raised, pruned, or cast into the fire.
Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Indeed, let us approach with humility. Let us not forget that it’s all part and parcel of God’s great grace that not only were we grafted in; No, let’s always remember that this also implies that we could have always been cut off.
Let there be no arrogance on our part. Besides, we had nothing to show for ourselves to begin with. At least those Jews who rejected were ‘fallen’ – meaning they came from a higher position… We never had such a position, such favor to begin with! Again, may we always keep this in mind, if only for us to remember just how great a kindness was lavished upon us!
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…
Take a look at that: 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. Israel rejected for the Gentiles to be saved, for Israel to 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.”
This was quoted from the Book of Isaiah; In chapter 59, verses 20 and 21, however, the prophet pointed out that the Redeemer will come TO the Jews, and from what we’ve gathered, He would come to the Jews eventually, even after their rejection of Him (even if it means acceptance by the Gentiles first)… but to clear all confusion, we thank Christ for setting the score:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ou worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:21-26
Two things that Christ clears out: Salvation comes from the Jews, and this salvation comes in the form of our becoming worshipers, in spirit and truth… and note: there’s no mention of Jews or Gentiles, but all would be made worshipers.
This salvation comes from the Messiah… and Christ, in His loving grace, reveals to the woman, and reveals to us all: “I who speak to you am he.”
What a wonderful revelation, folks. But let’s wrap it all up.
As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Israel rejected for the Gentiles to be saved, for Israel to be saved – if only for our all-seeing, all-knowing, eternally wise and infinitely glorious Father to project that His mercy IS for all.
John quoted Christ so well in the famous verse: God SO loved the WORLD. Jew, and Gentile. All is done within His infinite glory, and ALL because of His everlasting love for us.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
This incredible unveiling of the depths of God’s purposes leaves us prostrate in worship. What wondrous love and wisdom that the privileges of the covenant would be extended to the Gentiles!
What glorious mercy that even Israel’s disobedience could not thwart the plan for Christ to redeem from every tribe and tongue! Our finite minds cannot grasp the unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways of our infinite, all-wise God.
We can only marvel that from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things – including His invincible commitment to have mercy on all through the Deliverer from Zion.
To Him be glory forever and ever!
Until the next post, God bless us all.
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