Welcome back faithful servants!  As I write this, agreements of ceasefire and hostage release are imminent.  Some Israelis are awaiting the release of loved ones held in captivity for over 470 days. Other Israelis are distraught over the notion Israel will agree to release almost 1,700 Palestinian terrorists, many of whom were involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.  Both sides have valid emotions regarding the agreement, yet what is the answer?

Throughout history, the Israelites have gone into captivity many times, where they were brutally treated and often killed simply for being Jewish.  Why does God allow such a thing…and has He given up on those to whom He made everlasting promises?  Did God turn His back on Israel in the past, or on October 7?  To answer the question, let’s go to Romans 11. Please read the entire chapter.

God’s calling to His people is absolute and Romans 11 tells us that. There is infinite “meat” in this chapter!  In fact, it is so meaty we’ll only skim the surface in the short time we have. But buckle up because in doing so, we will discover God’s love for His people and God’s call to us as followers of Jesus.

Study tips:

• According to verses 1-10:
  • The apostle Paul opens this chapter by straight up answering a key question. What is that question and what is his answer?
  • In speaking about his kinsmen (Jews) in verse 5, Paul mentions a remnant according to grace.  Could it be that Paul is recognizing that some Jews have embraced “election by grace” (salvation in Jesus)?
  • Yet, in verses 7-10, he seems to turn his focus away from Jewish believers to Israel. Based on verse 7, what distinction does he make between the elect (believers) and the blinded?
  • According to verse 8, what has God brought forth to those who are blinded?

Yes, in general, Jewish eyes are blinded, except those who have received the grace of salvation through the Messiah.  It is the blinded that Paul puts the focus on throughout the remainder of Romans 11.

Study tips:

Let’s pick it up in verses 11-18:

• Verse 11 is very straight forward. Why did salvation come to the Gentiles? What are your thoughts about that?
• Ironically, it was the failure of the Jews to recognize the Messiah that brought “riches for the world!”  (verse 12) Do you recall the last phrase of Genesis 12:3?  Riches and blessing have indeed come to the world through that Jewish downfall.
• In speaking to Gentiles in verses 13-15, Paul again talks about provoking the Jews to jealousy. What would be the outcome, according to verse 15?  What will bring life from the dead?

Grasp the fullness, my friends!  Though the Jews stumbled, they did not fall!  They may stumble on the fact that Jesus came to earth to give them salvation, but they will never stumble from the grace and the calling of God! He will never turn His back.  Ironically, God used their stumble to open wide the door of salvation to the rest of the world!  “Riches for the Gentiles!”

Therefore, based on Paul’s admonition in verses 13-15, our mission as Gentiles is to provoke the Jews to jealousy!  We have their Messiah, and we are to offer Him back to them in return!  If their casting away brings reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance of Him be?  As dramatic as their rejection, what in the world will their acceptance be like?  Life from the dead!

That, dear friends, is our mission! To provoke the Jews to jealousy! It doesn’t require sermons or Bible-thumping, but merely living out the life of Jesus right in front of them, to provoke them to want what we have: their Messiah!

Paul changes focus in verses 16-24 to teach Gentiles about being grafted into the olive tree. It is a beautiful analogy of our life in Christ.

Devotional moments:

• We studied First Fruits in week 2 when we learned about the feasts of Israel. Jesus was the first fruit and, according to verse 16-18, we are grafted in branches of an olive tree.  Meditate on that truth.  What does it mean to you?
• Verses 19-21 tell us that other branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off so we might be grafted in. But he warns that we should not boast.  Does this idea of being grafted in cause you to boast or to bow in humble gratitude?  Why?
• There is an undeniable promise of God in verses 23-24. Who is the promise to, and what is the promise?

The remainder of the chapter is rich in promise and grace to the people of God!  Dig into verses 25-32.

Study tips:

• How long will blindness of the Jews last?
• Verses 26-27 contain one of the most important promises in all the Bible. What is it?
• In week 1, we discussed the 3-fold call of God upon Abraham and his descendants. Based on verse 29, will God ever change His calling to the Jewish people?
• Slowly read and meditate upon verses 30-31. How should we respond?  Does your response bolster your thoughts about our mission in Israel?

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  End your study time today using verses 33-36 as your outline for prayer and praise to our God whose unfathomable love for both Jews and Gentiles reaches beyond what we can imagine!  Enjoy your worship time and I’ll meet you back here tomorrow!