Some have suggested that the saved Gentiles, who they call the church, have taken the place of Israel. But that isn’t what we read in Romans 11:8 “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, until this very day”. The Gentiles have time to hear and accept and preach the gospel but are always spoken of as being in Romans 11:17 “grafted in among them and became a sharer of the root of the olive tree’s richness”. If that isn’t clear enough, it goes on to say in Romans 11:18 “the root supports you (the Gentile church)” and then there is this statement that is widely used but was made here to emphasize the place that Israel has in Gods plan, in Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”. Yes, salvation has come to the Gentiles, but how wonderful when the eyes of Israel are opened!
They Will be Called ‘Sons of the living God’
Romans 9:25–33
With the Heart One Believes
Romans 10:1–10
The Same Lord is Lord of All
Salvation Has Come to the Gentiles
Romans 11:1–12
God’s promise was to the Jewish people and through the old testament some followed but often the nation turned away which is why Elijah is quoted in
Romans 11:3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life!”
There has always been a remnant that served the Lord and even in Elijah’s time of lament, the Lord answers in
Romans 11:4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have left for myself seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal.”
But for the nation as a whole, for the Jewish people as a whole, it says in
Romans 11:8 just as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, until this very day.”
even this, the Lord has used to bring reconciliation to the Gentiles in
Romans 11:11 I say then, they did not stumble so that they fell, did they?* May it never be! But by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.
The Root Supports You
Romans 11:13–24
This letter is written by Paul primarily to the Gentiles because as he says, “ I am apostle to the Gentiles” in Romans 11:13 but he also writes to “provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them” in Romans 11:14. Paul is careful though to remind the Gentiles that the Jewish people were first, the apple of Gods eye, and Paul describes the Jewish people as the “Olive tree” and we have been “grafted in among them and became a sharer of the root of the olive tree’s richness” in Romans 11:17. Paul also reminds them that “the root supports you” in Romans 11:18. We, as Gentiles, are just branches grafted in. There is coming a time when the veil will be removed and the Jewish people will see and know Jesus Christ as their savior.
Even now, there are many Jewish people that have accepted Jesus Christ and are fulfilling their role in God’s kingdom on the earth. Grant Berry with http://reconnectingministries.org/ is one whose books you may appreciate.
The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable
Romans 11:25–36
We learn about God and his plan for creation here beginning with his eternal power and godhead in
Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for eternity! Amen.
and he is the one that possesses wisdom and knowledge in
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways!
and he never changes but delivers on what he has promised in
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
and even though some have turned away and “a partial hardening has happened to Israel” in Romans 11:25, “the deliverer will come out of Zion” in Romans 11:26. This is, and was the plan so that all could be saved, Israel and Gentile in
Romans 11:32 For God confined them all in disobedience, in order that he could have mercy on them all.
Be Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind
Romans 12:1–8
Study Verses
- Romans 11:1–12 Salvation Has Come to the Gentiles
- Romans 11:13–24 The Root Supports You
- Romans 11:25–36 The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable
Today’s Reading
- Romans 9:25-33
- Romans 10:1-21
- Romans 11:1-36
- Romans 12:1-8
