God’s calling to His people is absolute, and Romans 11 tells us that! We’re diving in, but key foundational truths in Romans 9 and 10 will help us understand Romans 11. If you missed our two previous lessons, please review them before proceeding to today’s study:
Friends, the apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has laid the foundation and will now bring it on home in terms of Jewish-Christian relations! Paul begins chapter 11 by clearly stating that God has NOT rejected His people (verses 1-2), despite the fact they attempted to obtain righteousness on their own (Romans 10:2-3). However, their eyes were darkened and their ears would not hear (verses 8-10). For the most part, they remain blinded and deaf to the Gospel of Yeshua to this day.
Romans 11:11-18 is the very meat of our study today, take a moment to read that passage.
Now, let’s take an interesting path through that passage, beginning in verses 17-18. Gentile Christians, we must not be arrogant when it comes to our salvation. We are a “wild olive shoot” grafted into the true olive tree…the Root of David. Take a look at this collection of passages regarding the Root of David: Isaiah 11:1-2, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 22:16. Indeed, Jesus Himself is the Root in which we are grafted. We do not support the Root, but the Root supports us!
Now, with that foundation, back up to verses 13-15. Paul is speaking to us (Gentiles) and indicates his desire to make his fellow kinsmen jealous, in order that some might be saved. Paul, a Jesus-follower, yearned to bring salvation to the Jews, but acknowledges that their rejection of Jesus the Messiah means reconciliation of the world. Why? Because salvation came to the Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise in Genesis 12:3 that through Abraham, all the families of the earth will be blessed!
But verse 15 also says that, as their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, how much more will their salvation bring! Sight to blind eyes, sound to deaf ears and life to God’s people.
Now, let’s close today’s study in verse 12:
Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
The Jews’ failure to recognize and accept their Messiah offered salvation to us as Gentiles! But the fullness of the Jews’ inclusion in salvation will be even richer! A day is coming when they will see and recognize their Messiah, and when that happens, a revival such has never been witnessed will occur!
For good measure (and spiritual edification) meditate on the final verses (25-36). The subtitle in my Bible says: “The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation” Enjoy!
Looking for the Blessed Hope 