Romans 11

1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

• What was Israel's response to the gospel as per Romans 10:16?

  • Israel's response to the gospel was disobedient. Or Israel rejected the gospel, in a way they rejected God.

    • Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

• Did God cast away Israelites?
  1a I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!

  • No, God didn't cast away or reject the gospel even though Israel has rejected Him.

  • We have also already seen this in

    • Romans 10:21 - But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people."

  • Did all Israel rejected the gospel as per Romans 10:16?

    • No, not all Israel rejected the gospel.

    • Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

• Who is Paul referring to as an example?
  1c For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

  • Paul is referring to himself as an example because he is an Israelite.

  • Application: Can you name one or two Israelites whom God did not cast away?

    • Peter, John and all other apostles and disciples such as Barnabas, Stephen, Philip,...

    • Acts 1:15 - 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

• Who are all people God has not cast away (reject)?
  2a God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.

  • God has not cast away those people whom He foreknew.

  • Who did God foreknow? or What did God foreknow?

    • God foreknew who will believe in Him and when they will believe in Him.

    • God foreknew before the foundation of the world when and who will

      • believe in Him,

      • accept Him as Lord and Savior and

      • surrender their life to Him.

    • Fore more details read Who are those whom God foreknew/chose? topic in Romans 8:29 notes.

    • 1 Peter 1:2 - 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

    • Romans 8:29-30 - 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

    • We will see the proof in following verses...

• Who is  Paul referring to as an another example?
  2b Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,

  • Paul is referring to Elijah as an another example.

  • What did Elijah plead to God?
    3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?

    • Elijah pleaded or complained that Jezebel, Ahab, Baal worshipers and Israelites were totally wiped away all God's prophets and torn down His altars.

    • This is a quote from 1 King 19:10,14. Read 1 King 19 for more details.

    •  1 King 19:10,14 -10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." .... 14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

  • What is God's response to Elijah?
    4a But what does the divine response say to him?
    4b "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."

    • This is a quote from

    • 1 King 19:18 - Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

• Application: What does God do to those whom He foreknew?

  • God does the transforming work to those whom He foreknew:

    • Romans 8:29-30 - 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

    • 2 Cor 3:18 - 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

• Why is Paul pointing out these examples? or What is the important point Paul is proving through these examples?
  5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

  • How many Israelites saved at this present time?
    5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

    • At present only remnant (few) Israelites are saved.

    • Paul has quoted Isaiah 10:22 prophecy here also in Romans 9:27

      • Romans 9:27 - Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.

      • For more details read When this remnant Israelites will be saved? in Romans 9:27 notes.

      • Is 10:22 - For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, A remnant of them will return; The destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

  • How are these remnant Israelites saved?
    5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

    • These remnant Israelites saved by the election of grace.

  • So, Paul is making sure that

    • God didn't rejected Israelites even though they rejected Him. (Romans 10:21; 11:2,4)

    • Only remnant Israelites turn to God. (Romans 11:5)

    • These remnant Israelites saved by grace i..e. Israelites put their faith in Jesus by accepting Him as Lord and Savior

  • As God replied Elijah God knows who and how many are saved and God also knows who and how many will be saved.

• What is the election of grace?
  6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

  • God elected beforehand through His foreknowledge those who truly believe in Him.

  • God did not elect anyone based on their work but by His grace.

    • Romans 11:2 - God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.

    • Romans 1:17 - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

    • Eph 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

  • (Warren Wiersbe) It is impossible to mix grace and works, for the one cancels the other. Israel's main concern had always been in trying to please God with good works (Romans 9:30-10:4). The nation refused to submit to Christ's righteousness, just as religious, self-righteous people refuse to submit today.

    • Romans 9:30 - 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

    • Romans 10:1-4 - 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

  • Example:

    • Following taken from Salvation By the Grace of God article under Is there any way out from this eternal punishment?

      • Let us learn this in detail from Jesus in

        • Matthew 19:16-22 - 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

        • 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "

        • 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

        • Matthew 19:23-24 - 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

        • Generally we focus on Rich man but Jesus didn't stop there in the following two verses:

          • Matthew 19:25-26a - 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26a But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, ........"

        • Jesus points out that entering in to heaven is impossible to both disciples and the rich man.

      • ... ... ... ...

      • Does Jesus stop His conversation with disciples saying "With men this is impossible" for their question Who then can be saved?
        NO

        • Go back to Matt 19:26 Jesus said that "With men this is impossible"... with disciples, rich man, and all of us it is impossible to enter into heaven by our efforts..... but Jesus didn't stop there...

          • Matthew 19:26 - 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

        • Praise God! Jesus didn't stop there He continued and said... For Disciples, rich man and all of us only God can provide and make the way to escape from eternal punishment to eternal life.

    • By Grace God saved those who believe in Him.

    • Peter want to make sure that "Is there any advantage of leaving everything and serving in His kingdom?"

      • Matthew 19:27-29 - 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"

      • What is Jesus' response?

        • Matthew 19:28-29 - 28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

        • God will reward us when we sacrifice even a little as per His request.

• Application:

  • Do you have fear that if you live under grace then we will keep sinning and go away from God?

    • Most believers have this fear and so they live under the law with bunch of Dos and Dont's.

    • Some take this grace granted and live a sinful life without developing love relationship with God.

  • What does grace do to believers life?

    • Sin always leads to death and Grace always reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

      • Romans 5:21 - so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    • So, approach and please God by your faith:

      • Romans 8:8 - So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

      • Romans 6:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

  • Are you living and growing in the grace of God?

    • Grace abounds where sin abounds:

      • Romans 5:20 - Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

    • Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

      • Romans 6:1-3 - 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

    • We are delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit:

      • Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

    • Who will deliver us from this body of death?

      • Romans 7:18-24 - 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

      • Romans 8:1-2 - 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

      • Romans 8:11,13 - 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day." 9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

• What did Israel seek but they didn't obtain?
  7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

  • Israel seeking their own righteousness:

    • Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

• Why did Israel not obtain God's righteousness?
  7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

  • Israel didn't obtain God's righteousness because they were blinded.

• Who blinded them?
  8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."

  • God blinded them Spiritually.
    8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."

    • What is spirit of stupor?
      8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."

      • Stupor from English dictionary means

        • a state of unconsciousness

        • mental dullness

      • Morris calls a spirit of stupor "an attitude of deadness towards spiritual things."

      • This is what the same verse explains that a spirit of stupor means "Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear".

    • This is a quote from Isaiah 29:10 that too explains this clearly:

      • Is 29:10 - For the Lord has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

  • Is there any other reference in New Testament that says that God blinds Israelites?

    • John quotes Isaiah 53:1; Is 6:9,10 prophesies and says that this spiritual blindness exactly fulfilled during Jesus time:

      • John 12:37b - 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

• Why did God blind Israelites?

  • Here are the few reasons why they are spiritually blinded:

    • Most Israelites blinded themselves due to God's abundant blessing:
      9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense [repayment] to them.
      10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

      • (Warren Wiersbe) Romans 11:9-10 are cited from Psalm 69:22-23. This Psalm is one of the most important of the messianic psalms and is referred to several times in the New Testament, Note especially Romans 11:4,9,21-22.

        • Psalm 69:22-23 - 21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 22 Let their table become a snare before them, And their well-being a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins shake continually.

      • What is "table become a snare and a trap" means?

        • (Venema, cited in Spurgeon) "Their table figuratively sets forth their prosperity, the abundance of all things. It represents peace and security, as in Psalm 33:5; Job 26:16."

        • (Barclay) "The idea is that men are sitting feasting comfortably at their banquet; and their very sense of safety has become their ruin. They are so secure in the fancied safety that the enemy can come upon them unaware"

        • (Warren Wiersbe) Their "table to become a snare: means that their blessings turn into burdens and judgments.

      • Did God bless them to stumble?

        • No, God blessed them because they are children to Him.

        • God is faithful and and His blessings are not based on our deeds.

        • God kept the promise given to Abraham.

        • (Warren Wiersbe) This is what happened to Israel: their spiritual blessings should have led them to Christ, but instead they became a snare that kept them from Christ

      • Why God's abundant blessing became stumbling block to them?

        • (David Guzik) The Jews of Paul's day were so secure in their idea of being the chosen people that the very idea became the thing that ruined them.

        • Romans 2:17-23 - 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.

        • (Barclay) "The idea is that men are sitting feasting comfortably at their banquet; and their very sense of safety has become their ruin. They are so secure in the fancied safety that the enemy can come upon them unaware"

      • NLT: Romans 10:9-10 - 9 Likewise, David said, “Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. 10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”

      • This is a warning to us so read more about this in application section Why God's abundant blessing may become stumbling block to us? and apply in your life.

    • Most Israelites say that they believe in God but not really believe in their hearts:

      • They focus on Tradition/Rituals but not develop relationship with God.

      • (Warren Wiersbe) Their very religious practices and observances became substitutes for the real experience of salvation.

        • Sad to say, this same mistake is made today when people depend on religious rituals and practices instead of trusting in the Christ who is pictured in these activities.

      • Matt 23:27-28 - 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

      • Is 29:13 - Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

    • Most Israelites didn't seek God's righteousness by faith instead they tried to earn righteousness by their own works:

      • Romans 9:30-32 - 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

      • Romans 10:1-3 - 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

      • John 12:37 - But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him,

    • Most Israelites bow down to Baal, worshiped other gods:

      • Romans 11:4 -  But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."

    • Most Israelites worship themselves:

      • Jer 18:12 - And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart."

      • Warning: Nothing good dwells within us (Romans 7:18). So, do not walk according to yours hearts dictate.

        • Romans 7:18 - For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

  • God blinded them because they want to stay in their unbelief by suppressing the truth in their unrighteousness and go as per their hearts dictates.
    So, God blinded them by honoring their hardness of their heart:

    • Romans 1:18-32 - 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
      22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
      24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
      26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
      28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
      32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

• How did elect obtain God's righteousness (salvation)?
  7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

  • Here elect is referred to the believing remnant Israel who obtained God's righteousness by His grace through their faith not by their deeds/works.

    • Have not bow down to Baal or worshiping other gods:

      • Romans 11:4-6 - 4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

    • Obtain God's righteousness by faith not by their works:

      • Romans 9:30 - What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;

      • Eph 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

    • God enlighten them to see spiritual things when they seek Him by their faith:

      • 2 Cor 4:6 - For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

• Application:

  • What are the few things that brings blindness to our spiritual walk?

    • Tradition/Rituals:

      • (Warren Wiersbe) Their very religious practices and observances became substitutes for the real experience of salvation.

        • Sad to say, this same mistake is made today when people depend on religious rituals and practices instead of trusting in the Christ who is pictured in these activities.

    • Too much of God's Blessings such as knowledge, wisdom, physical, material, ... may brings spiritual blindness if believers didn't use it as per the leading of God.

      • Romans 11:9 - And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense [repayment] to them.

      • Read Romans 11:9-10 notes for more details.

    • Why God's abundant blessing may become stumbling block to us?

      • Too much blessing makes our hearts to trust in that blessing and blinds our eyes and takes away our dependency on God.

      • We have everything we need and want so we do not want God.

      • Salomon is the typical example for this:
        NLT: 1 Kings 11:1-13 - 1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them,

        • Why God instructed this to Solomon? (1 Cor 7)

          • because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’

        • What Solomon did?

          • Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines.

        • What happened?

          • And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. 4 In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been.

          • 5 Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.

          • 6 In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.

        • What more did Solomon did?

          • 7 On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.

          • 8 Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.

        • Did God like this?

          • 9 The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord,

        • What is God's response?

          • the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

          • 10 He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods,

        • Did Solomon obey God?

          • but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command.

        • What was God's response to Solomon's for continuous disobedience? [Our God is longsuffering]

          • 11 So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. 12 But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. 13 And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.”

      • What was the main problem in Solomon's life?

        • God's abundant blessing may opens the door for sinful lifestyle and makes a believer to live independently without the relationship with God.

        • Solomon had everything he needed and wanted so he ignored every godly people and God Himself.

        • So, he disobeyed God.

      • Do you think that now we will not go through similar to Solomon had gone through?

        • Now we are in time with similar peer pressure like what Solomon had.

        • God blessed

        • 2 Tim 3:5 - 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away

    • What is the remedy?

      • One way we can ask God...

        • Prov 30:7-9 - 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

      • At the same time if God blessed you abundantly do not take that as granted. Because God blessed you to bless others:

        • Acts 10:1-2,4 - 1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

        • NLT: 2 Cor 8:1-5 - 1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

      • That is the reason Bible says in

        • 1 John 2:15,16 - 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

      • Our relationship with God is more important than any material blessing.

        • God blessed David abundantly but he always maintained very good relationship with God. So, God called him "Man after My own heart".

        • 1 Sam 13:14 - 13 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."

        • Acts 13:22 - And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'

      • Approach God by faith and always maintain the thick love relationship with God and do His will.

  • Why is Paul repeating again and again about the obtaining the God's righteousness through faith?

    • Because, obtaining the God's righteousness through faith is the Good News ie the Gospel.

    • If you obtain the God expected righteousness through our works/deeds then it is a wages for our work not the gift from God through faith. Earning righteousness through works is not the Good News but very Sad News because we work, work,... to earn righteousness but we never reach the God's expectation and earn righteousness.

      • James 2:10 - 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

      • Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

• Summary:

  • God will give every opportunity to everyone to repent to Him and believe in Him:

    • God harden the heart of those who are too stubborn and want to continue as per their heart's dictates. .

    • At the same time God also enlighten the heart of those who believe in Him and show them deep spiritual things.

  • (Warren Wiersbe) Paul made it clear that the hardening of Israel is neither total nor final, and this is proof that God has a future for the nation.

    • "Hardness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25).

    • The existence of the believing Jewish remnant today, as in Elijah's day. is evidence that God still has a plan for His people.

    • Paul did not imitate Elijah's mistake and say, "I only am left!" He knew that there was a remnant of Israel in the world who trusted God.

11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

• Did Israel stumble and fall beyond recovery? or Have Israel stumbled that they should fall beyond recovery?
  11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall?
  11b Certainly not!

  • Israel stumbled and didn't fall beyond recovery.

  • On what did Israel stumble?

    • God's abundant blessing become the stumbling block to Israelites.

      • Romans 11:9-10 - 9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

    • Did God put this as stumbling block to them?

      • No.

    • Read Romans 11:9-10 notes and Why God's abundant blessing become stumbling block to them? for more details.

      • Did God bless them to stumble?

      • Why God's abundant blessing became stumbling block to them?

      • Also read more about this in application section Why God's abundant blessing may become stumbling block to us? and apply in your life.

• What happened to Israel when they stumble?
  11c But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

  • When Israel stumbled on God's abundant blessings they have transgressed/trespassed (sinned deliberately) against God by fixing their eyes upon that blessing and indulge on that.

    • In this verse  KJV & NKJV uses single English word fall for two different Greek words:

      • NKJV: Romans 11:11 - I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall [G4098 πίπτω piptō- to descend from a higher place to a lower, metaph. to fall under judgment, came under condemnation]? Certainly not! But through their fall [G3900 παράπτωμα paraptōma - to fall beside or near something, a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness, a sin, misdeed, trespass or transgress], to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

    • So, NASB, NIV, ... uses right English words fall and transgression based on the meaning of the Greek word.

      • NASB: Romans 11:11 - I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

      • NIV: Romans 11:11 - Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

  • Application: Be a channel of blessing to others if you become hoarders then you will transgress against God and go away from Him.

• Who get benefited because of Israel's transgression? or How did Israel's transgression benefit others?
  11c But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

  • Gentiles get benefited.

  • Because of Israel's transgression that leads to rejection/unbelief, salvation has come to the Gentiles. As God has prophesized long time before in Deuteronomy 32:21 which is quoted in

    • Romans 10:19 - But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation."

  • As God prophesized it exactly fulfilled:

    • Acts 13:46 - Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

    • Acts 18:5-6 - 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

  • That is the reason Paul clearly stating this in

    • Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

• How did God make Israel's transgression or failure work together for their benefit?
  11c But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

  • God saved the Gentiles who believe in Him and provoked Israelites to jealousy and draw them toward Him.

  • How does jealousy cause the Israelites to turn towards God?

    • For Jews Gentiles are dogs, the low class/cast people, sinners, not followers of God.

      • Mark 7:26 - 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 28 And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." 29 Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed

    • After their rejection, salvation has come to Gentiles and God blessed and saved those Gentiles who believe in Him. On seeing believing Gentiles and their God's abundant blessing Israelites will be provoked to jealousy and this may provoke the thought saying "even if God can bless these Gentiles why can't we believe in God and stay closer to Him".

    • (Warren Wiersbe) Paul stated that the Gentiles had a vital ministry to Israel. Today, the saved Gentiles provoke Israel "to jealousy" (see Romans 10:19) because of the spiritual riches they have in Christ. Israel today is spiritually bankrupt, while Christians have "all spiritual blessings" in Christ (Eph 1:30).

      • (If an unsaved Jew visited the average church service, would he be provoked to jealousy and wish he had what we have or would he just be provoked?)

• Did salvation come to Gentiles only because of their fall/failure?
  12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

  • No, God has promised that the Gentiles would be saved. Read Is this call to gentiles is new plan of God? in Romans 9:25,26 notes.

    • Romans 9:25-26 - 25 As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."

    • Also read Why did God fulfill this call to gentiles after Jesus Christ death and resurrection? in Romans 9:25,26 notes.

• How much more Israel's fullness might have brought to the gentiles and world?
  12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

  • Now Israel's failure brings salvation to Gentiles and spreading throughout the world.

  • Think for a moment if every Israelites accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior during Jesus time then by this time they would have reached many Gentiles than what we have now.

  • Romans 11:15 - For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

• To whom Paul is speaking/addressing?
  13a For I speak to you Gentiles;

  • Now, Paul is speaking to Gentile believers or any believer in Christ who is not Jew by birth.

• Why Paul is speaking to Gentiles? or To whom has God appointed Paul as an apostle?
  13b inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

  • God has appointed Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. So, it is his responsibility to teach and equip them with knowledge and understanding the whole counsel of God.

    • NLT: Romans 11:13 - I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,

    • Eph 3:1 - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles

    • Acts 9:16,16 - 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

  • In the following verse and especially in Romans 11:20-22 we will know more reason why Paul specifically speaking/addressing to Gentile Christians.

• What Paul is telling to gentiles? or
  How did Paul utilize this divine opportunity to reach out Israelites?
  14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

  • By reaching out the Gentiles more he can provoke Israel to jealous and that in-turn make them to turn to God.

  • (David Guzik) Yet, Paul's desire isn't only that these riches would be enjoyed by the Gentiles only, but that the Jews would be provoked to a good kind of jealousy, motivating them to receive some of the blessings the Gentiles enjoyed.

  • Warning to Gentile believers: (Morris) "It is a matter for profound regret that just as Israel refused to accept this salvation when it was offered to them, so the Gentiles have all too often refused to make Israel envious.

    • Instead of showing to God's ancient people the attractiveness of the Christian way, Christians have characteristically treated the Jews with hatred, prejudice, persecution, malice, and all uncharitableness.

    • Christians should not take this passage calmly."

• Who get benefited due to Israel's cast away?
  15a For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world,

  • The world get benefited by reconciling with God.

• What would have happened if Israel accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and God accepted them as their children?
  15b what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

  • NLT: Romans 11:15 - For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!

• Can you list few examples from the Bible that God provoked someone to jealousy to accomplish His will?

  • God fulfilled part of His promise given to Abraham through Jacob especially through jealousy Leah and Rachel had 12 sons and 2 daughters:

    • Genesis 29:31-35 - 30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. 31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me." 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now I will praise the Lord." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

    • Genesis 30:1-24 - 1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!" 2 And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" 3 So she said, "Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her." 4 Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 6 Then Rachel said, "God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 And Rachel's maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, "With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali. 9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. 10 And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, "A troop comes!" So she called his name Gad. 12 And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 Then Leah said, "I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed." So she called his name Asher. 14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes." 15 But she said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?" And Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes." 16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." And he lay with her that night. 17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband." So she called his name Issachar. 19 Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 And Leah said, "God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons." So she called his name Zebulun. 21 Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah. 22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach." 24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, "The Lord shall add to me another son."

    • Genisis 35:18 - 16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

    • Here is the summary: Leah - 6 sons + 1 daughter; Zilpah - 2 sons; Rachel - 2 sons; Bilhah - 2 sons.

  • Joseph and His brothers:

    • Genesis 37:4,11 - 1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

  • God used Prodigal son to provoke the elder brother to draw closer to Him:

    • Luke 15:27 - 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. 25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' 28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' "

  • Some preached the Gospel due to envy/jealousy:

    • Phil 1:15 - 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

  • God used Mary to provoke Martha to jealousy and made her to draw closer to Him:

    • Luke 10:40-42 - 38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

• What is the moral lesson learn from this passage?

  • Jealousy with pride leads to destruction.

    • God used David to provoke Soul to jealousy and make him to turn towards Him but Soul not repent to God:

    • Acts 13:46 - 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' "

    • Acts 28:29 - 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." ' 28 "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

  • Jealousy with humbleness with great faith leads to abundant life here and everlasting life in heaven.

    • Peter defends to Jewish believers about his entry to Gentile home:

      • Acts 10:42-48 - 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

      • Acts 11:1-18 - 1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

• Application:

  • How do you react when you feel jealous?

    • 
      

  • Do you draw closer to God or going away from God when God allow someone on your way to provoke you to jealousy?

    • 
      

  • Do you have experience in your personal life that jealousy made you to do the right thing or to do the will of God?

    • 
      

• Summary:

  • Through Israel's rejection many Gentiles were benefited. So, it is our responsibility to reach out them. God's ultimate goal is that too. In His time He makes everything beautiful:

    • Romans 11:25 - For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

    • (Warren Wiersbe) There is a future for Israel. Paul calls it "their fullness" (Romans 11:12) and "their receiving" (Romans 11:15).

      • Today, Israel is fallen spiritually, but when Christ returns, the nation will rise again.

      • Today, Israel is cast away from God, but one day they shall be received again.

      • God will never break His covenant with His people, and He has promised to restore them. (See Jer 31:35-37 where God links His promises to Israel to the sun, moon, and starts.)

    • Jer 31:35-37 - 35 Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name): 36 "If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever." 37 Thus says the Lord: "If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the Lord.

16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

• What it means "if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches"?
  16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

  • What is firstfruit means here?

    • In English now it is in two words first fruit. It means

      • initial outcome/result of an effort/work

      • Eg: first income/salary on the new/first job, initial profits of the new/first business, first harvest of the year, ...

    • In Greek it is one word i.e. aparchē (G536).

    • The meaning based on the Biblical usage are

      • to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.

      • to offer firstlings or firstfruits

      • persons superior in excellence to others of the same class

    • Only eight times used in New Testament.

      • It means the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared.

        • KJV: Rom 11:16 - For if the firstfruit (G536) be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

        • Old Testament has more references:

        • Numbers 15:17-21 - 17 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 18 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land to which I bring you, 19 then it will be, when you eat of the bread of the land, that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord. 20 You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall you offer it up. 21 Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the Lord a heave offering throughout your generations.

        • Lev. 23:9-14 - 9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the Lord. 13 Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the Lord, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin. 14 You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings

      • It means initial set of new believers (converts) as the result of reach out effort done by a startup Church

        • KJV: Rom 16:5 - Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits (G536) of Achaia unto Christ.

        • KJV: 1 Cor 16:15 - I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits (G536) of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

        • KJV: Rev 14:4 - These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits (G536) unto God and to the Lamb.

      • It means believers in Christ, Christians, saint or a person set apart (sanctified) for God.

        • KJV: James 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits (G536) of his creatures.

        • KJV: Rom 8:23 - And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits (G536) of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

      • It means Jesus Christ resurrection, because He is the first one to resurrect form the dead and proved that there is life after death:

        • KJV: 1 Cor 15:20 - But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits (G536) of them that slept.

        • KJV: 1 Cor 15:23 - But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits (G536); afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

  • Let us understand clearly by knowing ...

  • What is lump means here?

    • In English now it means a piece or mass of solid matter without regular shape or of no particular shape

    • The Greek word for this lump is phyrama (G5445).

    • The meaning based on the Biblical usage are

      • any substance mixed with water and kneaded

      • a mass, a lump

        • of dough or of clay

    • Only five times used in New Testament:

      • KJV: Rom 9:21 - Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump (G5445) to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

      • KJV: Rom 11:16 - For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump (G5445) is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

      • KJV: 1 Cor 5:6 - Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (G5445)?

      • KJV: 1 Cor 5:7 - Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump (G5445), as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

      • KJV: Gal 5:9 - A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (G5445).

  • Based on these some interpret "if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches" as:

    • The firstfruit represent a portion of dough offered to God from the lump of dough and literal meaning for the rest i.e. root and branches of the tree:

      • NASB: Romans 11:16 - If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

      • NIV: Romans 11:16 - If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

    • The firstfruit/root represents the early Christians (Jews) and the lump/branches as Church (Gentile Christians):

      • (David Guzik) The firstfruit probably represents the first Christians, who were Jewish. Their conversion was something holy and good for the church. After all, each of the apostles and most of the human authors of Scripture were Jewish. If the conversion of this firstfruit was good for the Gentiles, how much better will it be when the complete harvest is brought in!

        • Many commentators take the firstfruit here as the patriarchs, but it fits better to see it as the original core group of Christians - who were each Jewish.

    • Based on the context of this passage the firstfruit/root represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the lump/branches represent Israel.

      • NLT: Romans 11:16 - And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

      • (Warren Wiersbe)  The lump of dough: The reference here is to Numbers 15:17-21. The first part of the dough was to be offered up to God as a symbol that the entire harvest was His (Lev. 23:9-14). The basic idea is that when God accepts the part He sanctifies the whole.

        • Applying this to history of Israel, we understand Paul's argument. God accepted the founder of the nation, Abraham, and in so doing set apart his descendants as well. God also accepted the other patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob in spite of their sins or failings. This means that God must accept the "rest of the lump" the nation of Israel.

  • Did Israel (ie lump/branches) inherit the holiness from Abraham?
    On what basis Abraham, Jacob and Israel are holy?

    • In Christ all believers are holy or righteous because believers obtain God's righteousness through faith. Same way Abraham believed in God and God accounted him for righteousness or holy and his descendant Israel who believe in God are also righteous/holy.

      • Romans 9:30 - What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;

      • Romans 4:3-5 - 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness

    • (Warren Wiersbe) The roots of the tree support the tree; again, this was a symbol of the patriarchs who founded the nation. God made His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and He cannot deny them or change them. Thus, it is God's promise to Abraham that sustains Israel even today.

• Who is the olive tree? And who is wild olive tree?
  17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,

  • Israel is referred as the olive tree:

    • Jer 11:16,17 - 16 The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken. 17 "For the Lord of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced doom against you for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense to Baal."

    • Hosea 14:4-6 - 4 "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.

    • NLT: Romans 11:17a - But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off.

  • It is not common but here the Gentiles believers in Christ are referred as a wild olive tree:

    • Romans 11:17 - And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,

    • Who is you here in verse Romans 11:17?

      • It is Paul addressing now to the Gentiles from

      • Romans 11:13 - For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

    • That is why NTL translate this

      • NLT: Romans 11:17b - And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.

• Why did some of the branches are broken off?
  17 And if some of the branches were broken off,

  • Some of the branches (i.e.some Israel) were broken off due to their unbelief.

    • Romans 11:20a Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off,

  • In other words unbelieving Israelites (Esau, many during wilderness and after Solomon, ...) are broken off from the  believing Israel (i.e. olive tree).

• How did the Gentiles graft in the root and fatness of the olive tree Israel?
  17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,

  • Gentiles were grafted in the olive tree through their faith in Jesus Christ:

    • Romans 11:20b and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

    • Romans 9:30 - What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;

    • (David Guzik) In addition, any Gentile standing in the "tree" of God is there by faith only, not by works or merits. If Gentiles are unbelieving, they will be "cut off" just as much as unbelieving Israel was.

    • (Cited in Morris) The Jewish Talmud speaks of Ruth the Moabitess as a "godly shoot" engrafted into Israel.

• Is grafting a wild olive branch to the olive tree common/normal?

  • (Warren Wiersbe) Paul described this "grafting in" as "contrary to nature." Usually a cultivated branch is grafted into a wild tree and shares its life without producing its poor fruit. But in this case it was the "wild branch (the Gentiles) that was grafted into the good tree! "Salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22)

  • Romans 11:24 - For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

  • Following information from an article by Philip F Esler, of St Mary’s College, The University of St Andrews:

    • There are two varieties of olive tree, the cultivated variety Olea europaea sativa and the wild variety Olea europaea oleaster. The olive is unusual among trees in its longevity, taking from six years in good conditions to twenty years in dry, difficult areas before it will start producing fruit.

    • In modern Greece, wild trees are dug up in the mountains to be used as root stock for cultivated olive shoots to be grafted in.
      So why did Paul talk of the reverse of this practice?

      • Perhaps Paul was deliberately inverting the standard practice to make his point to readers who would understand the process and realized that the ingrafting of a wild olive scion was contrary to the world’s practice. This picture would have been critical of the pretensions of the Greek believers.

      • Another possibility is that Paul was referring to a practiced described by Collumella, in an ancient work on Mediterranean oleiculture. A wild olive shoot would be grafted into a cultivated tree which was failing, in order to stimulate fruitfulness. This would only be done to a tree that had become exhausted and unproductive in order to rejuvenate it. Paul is unlikely to have used this idea if it suggested the Gentiles were rejuvenating the Jews, since he was trying to counter their arrogance towards the Jews, unless it illustrates Paul’s desire to provoke the Jews to envy? (Romans 11 v13-14)

  • (Morris) "When an old olive tree had lost its vigor, it seems that one remedy in antiquity was to cut away the failing branches and graft in some wild olive shoots. The result was said to be the invigoration of the failing tree."

  • (David Guzik) With the picture of the tree and the branches, Paul reminds the Gentile Christians that it is only by God's grace that they can be grafted into the "tree" of God - the "root" of which is Israel.

  • Do not forget God is reaching out the unbelieving Israel through believing Gentiles. If we Gentile believers didn't support unbelieving Israel then we are not supporting God but working against God's work towards reaching out unbelieving Israel.

    • Romans 11:11-15 - 11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

  • So, ...

• Can the believers in Christ boast against unbelieving Israel?
  18a do not boast against the branches.

  • No, believers in Christ should not boast against the branches (i.e Israel)

• Why the believers in Christ should not boast against unbelieving Israel?
  18b But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."

  • Even though wild branch gives life to the dying olive tree Israel by provoking them to jealousy but without the root of the olive tree the grafted wild olive branch will die. Wild olive tree lives only if the olive root gives life to it.

  • Jesus Christ grafted His followers to the olive tree by adopting the gentile believers as His children. By this way Abraham's promise fulfilled by Jesus Christ through the believing Gentiles.

  • By the work of Jesus Christ Gentile believers are fulfilling the God's promise to Abraham.

  • So, Gentile believers need to bless Israel.

  • What happens when the Gentile believers didn't understand this?

    • If the Gentile believers didn't understand this ...

      • 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in."

      • (David Guzik) Lest Gentiles think of themselves as superior to Jews, Paul also reminds them that the root supports the branches - not the other way around.

• How did the Gentiles partake in the root and fatness of the olive tree Israel?
  17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
  18b But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

  • Gentile believers in Christ inherit all the promises of Abraham even though they are not natural descendants of Abraham. Gentile believers are grafted to the olive tree Israel and it is the work of God. God adopted them His children when they believe in Him.

  • NLT: Romans 11:17b - And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.

  • Gen 12:1-3 - 1 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

    • "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. (God provide place and home to live)

    • 2 I will make you a great nation; (Believers can win people by reaching out)

    • I will bless you And make your name great; (God will lift us up when we humble ourselves in His sight)

    • And you shall be a blessing. (We will be blessing to many spiritually and materially)

    • 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; (God bring favor from other people)

    • And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Our descendents will be blessed because of us. We can see in Solomon's life)

  • Following taken from GotQuestions.org under the topic "What is the Abrahamic Covenant?"

    • There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant:

      • The promise of land (Genesis 12:1). God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 13:14–18 where it is confirmed by a shoe covenant; its dimensions are given in Genesis 15:18–21 (precluding any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1–10, which is the Palestinian Covenant.

      • The promise of descendants (Genesis 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Abraham, who was 75 years old and childless (Genesis 12:4), was promised many descendants. This promise is amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12–16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah’s kingdom rule over the Hebrew people.

      • The promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; cf. Hebrews 8:6–13) and has to do with “Israel’s spiritual blessing and redemption.” Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin. The unconditional and eternal nature of the covenant is seen in that the covenant is reaffirmed to Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3–4). The “I will” promises again suggest the unconditional aspect of the covenant. The covenant is later confirmed to Jacob (Genesis 28:14–15). It is noteworthy that God reaffirmed these promises amid the sins of the patriarchs, which fact further emphasizes the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant.

    • God’s method of fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant is literal, inasmuch as God partially fulfilled the covenant in history: God blessed Abraham by giving him the land (Genesis 13:14–17), and, centuries later, the sons of Abraham took control of the land: “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there” (Joshua 21:43). God blessed Abraham spiritually (Genesis 13:8, 18; 14:22, 23; 21:22); God gave him numerous descendants (Genesis 22:17; 49:3–28). An important element of the Abrahamic Covenant, however, demands a still-future fulfillment with Messiah’s kingdom rule:

      • Israel as a nation will possess the totality of the land in the future. Numerous Old Testament passages anticipate the future blessing of Israel and her possession of the land as promised to Abraham. Ezekiel envisions a future day when Israel is restored to the land (Ezekiel 20:33–37, 40–42; 36:1–37:28).

      • Israel as a nation will be converted, forgiven, and restored (Romans 11:25–27).

      • Israel will repent and receive the forgiveness of God in the future (Zechariah 12:10–14). The Abrahamic Covenant finds its ultimate fulfillment in connection with the return of Messiah to rescue and bless His people Israel. It is through the nation Israel that God promised in Genesis 12:1–3 to bless the nations of the world. That ultimate blessing will issue in the forgiveness of sins and Messiah’s glorious kingdom reign on earth.

    • Recommended Resources: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns and Logos Bible Software

• What should not the Gentile believers do?
  20b and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
  22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

  • The Gentile believers should not be haughty or prideful.

    • Prov 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

  • The Gentile believers should not face the severity of God due to their unbelief.

    • Romans 1:18 - 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

• What should the Gentile believers do?
  20b and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
  22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

  • The Gentile believers in Christ should fear God.

    • Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

    • What type of fear is this?

      • It is not trembling unapproachable fear that slave have towards their ruthless cruel master.

      • It is not the fear that we have towards the terrible wrathful person.

      • It is like the fear child have toward their good and loving parent.

      • It is the reverential fear towards a deep respectful person.

    • This fear of God is the reverential fear towards the almighty, sovereign and loving God.

    • This fear of God

      • makes the believers not to go away from God because God will punish/discipline when they continue in sin

      • makes them to approach God by faith in their need

        • Heb 4:16 -

      • makes them to approach God by faith even when they sin

        • 1 John 1:9,10 -

      • makes them to continue in faith.

  • 
    

  • The Gentile believers in Christ should stand by faith.

    • What is stand in faith means?

      • We received the righteousness of God by our faith in Jesus Christ and we need to continue in this faith.

      • We entered into the Kingdom of God by our faith in Jesus Christ and continue to stay in the Kingdom of God by the same faith in Jesus Christ. For more details read What is "from faith to faith" means? in Romans 1:17 notes.

        • Romans 1:17 -For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

        • NLT: Romans 1:17 - This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

        • Col 1:23 - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

      • 
        
    • 
      

    • Warning: It is not start by faith and then continue in works. i.e. serving God to maintain the salvation by works

      • Heb 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

      • Romans 8:8 - So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

      • Gal 3:1-3 - 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

  • The Gentile believers in Christ should stay in goodness of God.

    • What will God's goodness do for us?

      • Romans 2:4 - Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

    • Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

    • (David Guzik) Paul stresses the need to continue in His goodness; not in the sense of a salvation by works, but continuing in God's grace and goodness to us - a relationship of continual abiding. This idea of a continual abiding in the "tree" is also expressed in John 15:1-8.

    • (Murray) "The conditional clause in this verse, if you continue in His goodness, is a reminder that there is no security in the bond of the gospel apart from perseverance. There is no such thing as continuance in the favour of God in spite of apostasy; God's saving embrace and endurance are correlative."

• Why should the believers in Christ fear God, stand in faith, and continue in goodness of God?
  21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

  • Does this mean that the believers in Christ loose the salvation?

    • Is Paul talking about Israel as a whole or any specific generation?

      • He is not talking particular generation but he is talking about Israel as whole.

      • Based on this passage he is not talking about the individual believing Israel who backslidden due to their unbelief.

      • He is particularly referring to the individual who born in Israel family but never believed  in God but may be followed their traditions.

      • He is referring to those Israel/branches who never believed in God:

        • Romans 11:20 - 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

        • It is not uncommon if a parents are not strong in their faith and not walked with God then it is less likely their children and descendants have faith in God.

        • At the same time having faith in God is individual's choice and God also working hard to reach out each and every individual.

    • God will cut those branches who born among Israelites, even circumcised on 8th day but never believed in God.

    • In other words God will never keep any unbelievers in His kingdom or in heaven because they were born in Israel family or in Christian family.

      • Acts 4:12 - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [other than Jesus] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

    • Paul is using this as a warning for the individual believers not to live on their own selfish desires instead of walking as per the leading of the Holy Spirit that comes from intimate love relationship with God.

      • God is able to cut the branches that are not believing in Him.

        • Rev 3:5 - He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

      • The believers in Christ should maintain the love relationship with God but based on their brought up

        • some start their so called Christian life by going to church regularly with parents and live by practicing tradition, ritual and works/service without relationship with God.

        • some start with faith and slowly backslide and live in tradition, ritual or works without relationship with God.

    • God will not play a game removing and adding names in the book of Life. For more details read When did God add/write believers names in the Book of Life? topic in Romans 8:29 notes.

    • Because God works on our behalf following are some verses that gives more assurance:

      • God never throw believers to hell with nonbelievers:

        • Matt 13:24-30 -  24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

        • Matt 13:36-43 - 36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

      • God waits to remove the fruitless branches:

        • John 15:1-1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

        • Matt 7:19 - 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

        • Luke 13:6-9 - 6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

      • God warns every believer when they backslide. We can see this in Revelation 2 and 3:

        • Rev 2:4-5 - 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

        • Rev 2:20-25 - 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come.

      • God discipline His children:

        • Heb 12:5-11 - 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

      • God never allow enemy/Satan to snatch them away:

        • John 10:27 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

• Will God accept Israelites if they believe in Him instead of continue in unbelief?
  23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
  24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

  • Yes, God will accept Israelites if they believe in Him instead of continue in unbelief.

  • (David Guzik) And, if Israel was "cut off" because of their unbelief, they can be grafted in again if they do not continue in unbelief.

  • (Morris) "Evidently some Gentile believers were tempted to think that there was no future for Israel. She had rejected the gospel and it had now passed to the Gentiles; Israel was finished, rejected, cast off. God had chosen them instead. It is this kind of pride that Paul is opposing."

  • (David Guzik) If the Gentiles seemed to "graft" into God's "tree" easily, we know it won't be hard for God to graft the natural branches back into the tree. We can also assume that the natural branches will have the potential to bear much fruit.

• Application:

  • How will the believers in Christ fear God, continue to stand in faith and stay in goodness of God?

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" 35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

• What do Paul not desire/want believers to be ignorant of?
  25a For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery,

  • Paul do not desire/want believers to be ignorant of this mystery that he is going to share.

• What will believers do if they do not know this mystery?
  25b lest you should be wise in your own opinion,

  • Believers will be wise in their own opinion if they do not know this mystery

  • (David Guzik) This is a warning to take this soberly. Christians must not be ignorant of this mystery.

  • Application:

    • What will anyone do if they do not know the truth about particular matter?

      • If anyone do not know the truth about particular matter then they will come up with their own theory/opinion about that matter and live in their own opinion without knowing the truth about that matter.

    • Is there any problem if we live in our own opinion without knowing the truth?

      • Yes.

      • For example if you are going through severe diarrhea for few days and during this time if you keep on drinking milk or anything that causes it then those intake will not stop the diarrhea instead it will increase it and cause more problem. So, knowing the truth about this through doctor, pharmacist or anyone and taking the right medication heals you. So, we cannot live with our own opinion without knowing the truth.

    • What kind of problems we may face when we live in our own opinion?

      • Today we are living in the postmodern world. People want to live in their own opinion without desiring to know the truth.

      • Think for a moment:

        • If you do not know the truth about God

          • You do not need to fear God and so you can live whatever the way you want.

          • You will replace true God with your own imaginary God.

          • You will live a self righteous life never seek to receive the God's righteousness.

        • If you do not know the truth about your role and responsibility in God's Kingdom

          • You will do whatever you are comfortable with thinking that you are pleasing God or say that, This is what God has asked you to do.

          • Follow the tradition and do all sort of rituals thinking that this is what God wants you to do.

        • If you do not know the truth about the Purpose of your life

          • You will not know why are existing now here on the earth and so you run your life based on your upbringing and you will be focused on yourself.

          • You will live a selfish life.

        • If you do not know the truth about  your role and responsibility in your work

          • You will do whatever you are comfortable with and say that this is your responsibility.

        • If you do not know the truth about submission

          • We are living in democratic world and we have freedom of speech. Instead of submitting to the authorities we will critic, question, or trash them and lift yourself above them with haughty spirit.

          • If you do not submit to your authorities then you will not submit to God.

        • If you do not know the truth about the Marriage

          • You will marry or live together anyone of any gender even pet,

          • You will divorce or leave anytime if you didn't like it.

          • After marriage you will not faithful to your spouse instead you may have affaire with anyone and commit adultery

          • You will live a sexually immoral life.

        • If you do not know the truth about Abortion:

          • You may ok to abort/kill/murder the baby in the womb and hurt the mom deeply instead of realizing that God fashioned and created that baby in the womb of the mother.

        • If you do not know the truth about the specialty of your Gender

          • You may try to change the gender based on your feeling, behavior and ability instead accepting the way that God has created you.

      • So, in the postmodern world, we emphasize the free will of the individual and live a self centered and self righteous life, and put down anyone above us especially God.

      • But the truth of the matter is God love us and want us to keep us in His good hands:

        • Jer 18:1-12 - 1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: 2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred [disfigure] in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the Lord. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. 11 "Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good." ' " 12 And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart."

• What is the mystery that we should not be ignorant of?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26a And so all Israel will be saved,

  • (Warren Wiersbe) Paul saved the witness for the last. He proved that the very character and work of God were involved in the future of Israel. Men may dispute about prophecy and differ in their interpretations, but let every man realize that he is dealing with God's people Israel.

  • (David Guzik) Paul summarizes his point from Romans 11:11-24. God's purpose in allowing blindness in part to come upon Israel is so that the fullness of the Gentiles can come in

• Why did Israel become blind spiritually?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

  • Israel were too stubborn and do not want to believe in Jesus Christ.

    • We already gone through this in Romans 11:7-10

      • Romans 11:7-10 - 7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day." 9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

    • Read Romans 11:7-10 notes for more detail:

      • What did Israel seek but they didn't obtain?

      • Why did Israel not obtain God's righteousness?

      • Who blinded them?

      • Why did God blind Israelites?

  • God used Israel's blindness to save/bless the Gentiles.

    • Romans 11:11 - I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

    • Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

• Is Israel's blindness is temporary?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

  • Yes, Israel's blindness is temporary.

  • (Smith) In part has the idea of "temporary";

• What is "the fullness of the Gentiles" means?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

  • What is Paul is saying about the fullness of the Israelites?

    • Paul says in

      • Romans 11:12 - Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

      • NLT: Romans 11:12 - But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

    • Paul says that Israel's failure opens the door for the Gentiles and how much more Gentiles will be blessed if all of Israel would have accept Jesus as their Messiah and saved. Here fullness refers to all or majority.

  • Same way it means God has given opportunity now to all Gentiles and this will come to an end once all those Gentiles who respond to the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ and enter into the Kingdom of God:

    • Matt 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

    • NIV: Romans 11:25 - I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

• What is "all Israel will be saved" means?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26a And so all Israel will be saved,

  • Before the second coming of Jesus Christ God will reach out Israelites through 144,000 Jewish virgin men and the two witness from heaven during the Great Tribulation (Jacob's trouble) and at that time all Israelites will be saved by accepting Jesus as their Messiah/Christ.

    • Rev 7:3- 4 - 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

    • Rev 14:4 - 1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

    • Rev 11:13 - 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

  • (Smith) Israel's blindness is temporary. "One day the Jews will realize their blindness and folly. They'll accept Jesus Christ, and the glorious national restoration of these people will bring in the Kingdom Age."

  • (David Guzik) Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in: At that time, God will once again turn the attention of His plan of the ages specifically on Israel again, so that all Israel will be saved. God's plan of the ages does not set its attention on everyone equally through all ages.

  • Note: (David Guzik) And, when all Israel will be saved, they will be saved through embracing Jesus Christ as Messiah - as unlikely as this seems. They are not saved with some peculiar "Jewish" salvation.

  • We will see this in detail below When the fullness of the Gentiles will come? and When all Israel will be saved?.

• Is this new plan of God?
  26b as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."

  • No, these are God's long-term plan.

  • In one day God formed the nation Israel again on May 14th 1948.

    • Isaiah 66:8 - Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.

  • God will gather Israel from the four corners of the world:

    • NIV: Deut 30:1-5 - 1 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 7 The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. 8 You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. 9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

    • Isaiah 11:12 - He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

  • (David Guzik) The quotations from Isaiah show that God still has a redeeming work to accomplish with Israel, and that it will not be left undone.

  • (Warren Wiersbe) God's promise (V26). The references here is Isaiah 59:20-21; and you ought to read Isaiah 60 to complete the picture. God has promised to save his people and he will keep His promise. There are those who interpret this as meaning salvation to individuals through the Gospel, but it is my conviction that the prophet has national conversion in mind. "All Israel shall be saved" every Jew who has ever lived will be converted but the Jews living when the Redeemer returns will see Him, receive Him, and be saved.  Zechariah 12-13 gives the details. It seems to me that there are too many details in these in Old Testament prophecies of national restoration for Israel for us to spiritualize them and apply them to the church today.

  • Isaiah 59:20-21 - 20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," Says the Lord. 21 "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."

• Why are Israelites enemies to the gospel (the good news)?
  28a Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake,

  • They are too stubborn and harden their hearts and so they did not believe in Jesus Christ.

    • Romans 11:20 - Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

    • Romans 10:2,3 - 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

• Are Israelites beloved to God even though they didn't believe in Him?
  28b but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

  • Yes, they are beloved to God.

• Why are Israelites beloved to God even though they didn't believe in God?
  28b but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
  29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

  • They are beloved for the sake of the fathers:
    28b but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

    • (David Guzik) Even though it seemed that in Paul's day the Jews were enemies of God and were against Jesus, they are still beloved - if for no other reason, then for the sake of the fathers (the patriarchs of the Old Testament).

      • Of course, they are loved for more than the sake of the fathers, but that by itself would be enough.

    • (Warren Wiersbe) God's Covenant (V27-28). This is, of course a continuation of the quotation from Isaiah 59; but the emphasizes is on the covenant of God with Israel. God chose Israel in his grace and not because of any merit in her (Deuteronomy 7:6-11; 9:1-6). If the nation was not chosen because of its goodness, can it be rejected because of its sin? "Election" means grace, not merit. The Jewish people are "enemies" to the believing Gentiles because of their hostile attitude toward the Gospel. But to God the Jewish people are "beloved for the father's sakes." God will not break His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

  • They are beloved because God never take away His gifts given and calling He made to Israel:
    29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

    • What is "the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" means?

      • God will not take away His gifts given to believers and God will not take away His calling us for His ministry.

      • This reveals God's Nature:

        • Malachi 3:6 - "For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

        • Num 23:19 - "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

        • Phil 1:6 - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

      • (David Guzik) It means that God will not give up on us and He leaves the path open to restoration.

    • God called Abraham and promised Him so God will continue to work with Israel and fulfill His calling.

    • (David Guzik) This is another reason why God hasn't given up on national and ethnic Israel. This principle, stated by Paul, comforts us far beyond its direct relevance to Israel.

    • (Warren Wiersbe) God's Nature (V29). "I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal 3:6). "God is not a man man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent (Numbers 23:19). God's gifts to Israel, and God's calling to Israel, cannot be taken back are changed, or God would cease to be true to his own perfect nature. The fact that Israel may not enjoy her gifts, or live up to her privileges as an elect nation, does not affect this fact one bit. God will be consistent with Himself and true to His word no matter what men may do. "Shall their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? (Romans 3:3, literal translation).

• Application:

  • Does "the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" promise includes the gifts of the Holy Spirit? or Does God do not take away gifts of the Holy Spirit?

    • Yes, God will not take away the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

    • Why did Paul did not heal himself or heal Timothy even though he had the gift of healing?

      • Galatians 4:13 - 12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

      • 1 Timothy 5:23 - No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

    • These gifts operate by the power of the Holy Spirit and according to the will of God.

      • 1 Cor 12:11 - But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

      • 1 John 4:14-15 - 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

      • Eph 5:18 - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

      • God mainly used this gifts to furtherance of His kingdom i.e. to draw people to His kingdom and to edify the body.

        • 1 Cor 14:3-5 - 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

        • 1 Cor 14:12 - Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

        • 1 Cor 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

  • Will God takeaway His calling from you if He called you to a specific ministry and you quit that ministry due to persecution or any other reason?

    • God will not takeaway His calling from you but He waits for you to respond.

    • If you try to ran away due to fear or any other reason but your heart is willing to server God then God will pursue you and accomplish that task/ministry through you.

    • Jonah is typical example. God called Jonah to deliver the message to Nineveh but he tries to escape from this task but willing to serve God so, God pursued him and accomplished His task assigned to Him.

    • Moses is another typical example. Moses gave various excuses to God to go and stand against Pharaoh but God provided every help and made him to accomplish His task/ministry.

    • God didn't replace Jonah or Moses with someone else to accomplish that task.

    • So, whatever situation you are in God will restore you and use you. Just continue serve His calling/ministry with His help.

      • Isaiah 41:13 - For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

      • Phil 1:6 - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

• Summary:

  • (David Guzik) This states clearly for us that God is not finished with Israel as a nation or a distinct ethnic group. Though God has turned the focus of His saving mercies away from Israel specifically and onto the Gentiles generally, He will turn it back again.

    • This simple passage refutes those who insist that God is forever done with Israel as a people and that the Church is the New Israel and inherits every promise ever made to national and ethnic Israel of the Old Testament.

    • We are reminded of the enduring character of the promises made to national and ethnic Israel (Genesis 13:15 and 17:7-8). God is not "finished" with Israel, and Israel is not "spiritualized" as the church.

    • While we see and rejoice in a continuity of God's work throughout all His people through all ages, we also see a distinction between Israel and the Church - a distinction that Paul is sensitive to here.

  • (Warren Wiersbe) God's Timing (V25). What has happened to Israel is all a part of God's plan, and He knows what He is doing. The binding (or hardening Rom 11:7) of Israel as a nation is neither total or final: it is partial and temporary. How long will it last? "Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25). There is the "fullness" for Israel (Romans 11:12) and for the Gentiles. Today, God in His grace visiting the Gentles and taking out a people for his name (Acts 15:12-14). Individual Jews are being saved, of course; but this present age is primarily a time when God is visiting the Gentiles and building His church. When this present age has run its course, and the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, then God once more deal with the nation of Israel.

    • Romans 11:25 is one of the several "until" verses in the Bible, all of which are important. Read Matthew 23:32-39; Luke 21:24; and Psalm 110:1 for other references. It is reassuring that God knows what time it is and He is never late in fulfilling His will.

• Will Israelites obtain mercy?
  30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

  • Yes, Israel will obtain mercy as gentiles received mercy.

  • When were the gentiles disobedient?
    30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,

    • After Noah all are disobedient.

    • Of all disobedient people God knows there is only one person on the world will believe in Him when He calls. So, God called Abraham out of his country and Abraham obeyed Him. Abraham believed and obeyed the God's call.

    • Genesis 12:1-4 - 1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

  • Why God has committed them to disobedient?

    • As we have seen this earlier God committed them to disobedient because they harden their heart and they focused on His blessing instead of believing in Hiim.

      • Romans 11:8 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day." 9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

        • For more details read the Why did God blind Israelites? topic in Romans 11:9 notes.

      • Romans 11:20 - Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.

  • When did both Israel and the gentiles obtain mercy?

    • Both Israel and the gentiles obtain mercy when they are disobedient.

    • (David Guzik) The idea is that God has shut up both Jew and Gentile into custody as lawbreakers. God offers mercy to these prisoners, based on the person and work of Jesus.

    • Mercy is not getting what we deserve.

      • We all deserve punishment for our disobedient/sin because of God's mercy we didn't get/receive the punishment that we deserve.

    • Grace is getting what we have not deserved.

      • We all deserve punishment/hell for our disobedient/sin because of God's grace we obtain salvation by believing in Jesus Christ that we have not deserved.

      • Romans 5:8-9 - 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

  • Does this verse applicable for you now?
    30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,

    • Yes, now we all are disobedient to God because by birth we inherit sin from our parents.

    • Not only that from birth we are under the control of Satan obeying him.

      • NLT: Eph 2:2 - 1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

    • We all have the opportunity to obtain mercy by believing in God. This happens only when we come to a realization of disobedience and plead to God for help.

  • Will God be merciful and gracious to any disobedient?

    • Yes, God will be merciful and gracious to any disobedient when they approach Him with contrite and broken heart.

    • Psalm 5:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.

  • (Warren Wiersbe) God's grace (vv30-32) "Because of the unbelief of the Jews, you Gentiles were saved" said Paul. "Now, may it be that through your salvation Israel will come to know Christ." Note that Paul repeatedly reminded the saved Gentiles that they had a spiritual obligation to Israel to "provoke them to Jealousy" (Rom 10:19; 11:11,14). Israel's hardness is only "in part" (Rom. 11:25), which means that individual Jews can be saved. God has included "all in unbelief" - Jews and Gentiles - so that all might have the opportunity to be saved by grace. "There is no difference. : If God can save Jews by His grace and mercy today, why can He not save them in the future?

    • We must remember that God chose the Jews so that the Gentiles might be saved. "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed," was God's promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The tragedy was that Israel became exclusive and failed to share the truth with the Gentiles. They thought that the Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be saved. But God declared both Jews and Gentiles to be lost and condemned. This meant that He could have mercy on all because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

• What attributes/characters of God do you see in these Romans 11:30-32 verses?

  • These describe the mercy, grace, love, sovereignty of God.

  • We will see many more attributes in Romans 11:33-36.

• When the fullness of the Gentiles will come? and When all Israel will be saved?
  25c that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26a And so all Israel will be saved,
  Following are the order in which the events happen:

  • God will reach out all the Gentiles or all the world by sharing the Gospel through evangelist, missionaries and through all believers:

    • KJV: Matt 28:19-20 -19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo , I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

    • Acts 1:8 - But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

    • Matt 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

    • In this case the gospel preached all over the world so that all the Gentiles and Israel will get opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

  • All the believers both Gentiles and Jews will raptured or taken up to heaven before the Great Tribulation starts:

    • Matt 24:41 - 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

    • 1 Thes 4:16-17 - 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (raptus in latin and Rapture in English) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

  • All the gentiles who accept Jesus due to the Great Tribulation sufferings will be killed or martyred and will be there in heaven.

    • Rev 6:11 - 9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

    • Rev 7:15 - 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

    • Rev 9:20-21 - 20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

  • At the same time all Israelites who believes in Jesus Christ will be sealed these are 144,000 Jewish virgin men.

    • Rev 7:3-4 - 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

  • God will reach out remaining nonbelievers during the Great Tribulation using these 144,000 Jewish virgin men and the two witness from heaven.

    • Rev 14:1-3 - 1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

  • At this point in time only non-believing Gentiles and both believing and non-believing Israelites will be there. This exactly happens at the middle of the seven year Great Tribulation period.

    • NIV: Romans 11:25 - I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

  • At this middle of last 7 year Great Tribulation time the non-believing Gentiles will start trampling Jerusalem for 3.5 years till the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ:

    • Luke 21:24 - And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

    • Revelation 11:2 - 1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

  • The Antichrist the beast will kill these two witness from heaven as God has given power to him.

  • These two witness dead body will be there for 3.5 days and will be seen by allover the world. They celebrate this by exchanging the gifts.

  • At the end of 3.5 days God call them from heaven and these two witness dead body will resurrect and all will see this.

  • There will be earthquake and 7000 people will die.

  • At this point in time all Israelites who are alive will accept Jesus as Christ/Messiah and glorify God.

    • Rev 11:13 - 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

  • Satan will be denied access to heaven anymore from that time onwards.

    • Revelation 12:7-9 - 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Satan will be enraged to completely wipeout all saved Israel but God will protect Israel believers from the Satan's rage during the Jacob's trouble or the Great Tribulation period:

    • Revelation 12:13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

  • At this time Israel will cry unto God for Messiah and they will mourn because they have pierced His hand when He came first time:

    • (David Guzik) The Bible indicates this is a necessary condition for the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:39, Zechariah 12:10-11). Jesus will not return again until God turns the focus of His saving mercies on Israel again, and Israel responds to God through Jesus Christ.

    • After that Israel will say  'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'

      • Matt 23:39 - for I [Jesus] say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say,  'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'

    • Zec12:10 - "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn

    • Revelation 1:7 - Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

      • Acts 1:9-11 - 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

      • Mat 24:30 - Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

      • Dan 7:13,14 - 13 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

      • Mat 26:64 - Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!

• How great our God is?

  • 33a Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

    • (David Guzik) As Paul considers God's great plan of the ages, he breaks into spontaneous praise. Paul realizes that God's ways are past finding out, and God's wisdom and knowledge is beyond him.

      • Who would have planned the whole scenario with Israel, the Gentiles, and the Church as God has planned it? Yet, we can see the great wisdom and compassion in His plan.

      • Is 55:8-11 - 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

  • 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?"

    • Is 40:13 - 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? 13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him? 14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?

    • Jer 23:18 - For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it?

    • Job 36:22 - 22 "Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him? 23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, 'You have done wrong'?

    • Is 9:6 - 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

  • 35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?"

    • God has no obligation to redeem or save us.

    • (David Guzik) The quotations from Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11 emphasize both God's wisdom and sovereign conduct; no one can make God their debtor.

      • You can try all you want - but you will never make God a debtor to you. You can't out-give God. He will never need to repay a debt to anyone

    • Job 41:11 - Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.

  • 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

    • (David Guzik) It is all of Him: This plan came from God. It wasn't man's idea. We didn't say, "I've offended God and have to find a way back to Him. Let's work on a plan to come back to God." In our spiritual indifference and death we didn't care about a plan, and even if we did care we aren't smart enough or wise enough to make one. It is all of Him.

    • (David Guzik) It is all through Him: Even if we had the plan, we couldn't make it happen. We couldn't free ourselves from this prison of sin and self. It could only happen through Him, and the great work of Jesus on our behalf is the through Him that brings salvation.

    • (David Guzik) It is all to Him: It's not for me, it's not for you, it's all to Him. It is to the praise of the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:6). It's for His pleasure that we are created, and we find our fulfillment in bringing Him glory and honor.

    • (David Guzik) To whom be glory forever: The fact that Paul can't figure out God makes him glorify God all the more. When we understand some of the greatness of God, we worship Him all the more passionately.

    • Col 1:15-18 - 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

    • Heb 2:10 - For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

    • Heb 13:21 - 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

• Summary:

  • (Warren Wiersbe) God's wisdom (vv33-36) Having contemplated God's great plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, all Paul could do was sing a hymn of praise. As someone has remarked, "Theology becomes doxology!" Only a God has wise as our God could take the fall of Israel and turn it into salvation for the world! His plans will not be aborted nor will His purposes lack fulfillment. No human being can fully know the mind of the Lord; and the more we study His ways, the more we offer Him praise.

    • Are we to conclude that God does not know what He is doing and that the nation of Israel completely ruined His plan?

      • Of course not! God is too wise to make plans that will not be fulfilled. Israel did not allow Him to rule, so He overruled!

    • Paul summoned five witnesses, and they all agreed: there is a future for Israel. When Israel recovers from her "fall" and enters into her "fullness," the world will experience the riches of God's grace as never before. When Jesus Christ returns and sits on David's throne to reign over His kingdom, then Israel will be "reconciled" and received," and it will be like a resurrection!

  • Phil 1:6 - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

  • Is 43:1-2 - 1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

  • Is 41:13 - For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

  • 1 Thes 2:13 - For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.