Review:
In chapter nine we read that Paul was willing to be cursed by God if it could lead to Israel being saved. He went on to defend the faithfulness of God, the justice of God, and the fairness of God in his dealings with Israel. At the end of the chapter he turned from what God had been doing to what Israel has been doing. They had not pursued righteousness by faith but instead pursued righteousness by the law. They stumbled over Christ, refusing to believe in him or depend on him to obtain righteousness with God.
Last week, in chapter 10, we learned that there were three problems that were continuing to keep Israel from being saved: (1) ignorance of God’s righteousness by faith, (2) misplaced trust, trusting in keeping the law rather than believing God for their righteousness, and (3) failure to believe the message of faith when they heard it.
This still leaves a question to be answered. “Has God totally and finally rejected Israel, or is Israel still a part of God’s plan?
Paul answers this question in Chapter 11.
I. God rejected Israel. (There is a believing remnant in Israel to prove this.) 11:1-10
God rejected his people whom he foreknew 11:1
Paul is an example of this fact.
An elect , chosen by grace has been saved, 11:2-6
The example of , 11:2-4
The present of Israel, 11:5-6
Paul’s point: God has neither nor all of Israel.
Those in Israel who sought God’s righteousness by something other than faith didn’t obtain it and were , 7-10
They were hardened, but .
Isaiah 29:10 (ESV)
Psalm 69:22–23 (ESV)
II. Israel’s sin doesn’t count them out. They can still with God, 11:11-24
Is Israel rejected ? 11:11
Answer: , 11:11a
God used their sin to of salvation to the Gentiles, 11:11b
This open door was designed to provoke in Israel, resulting in some being saved 11:11c
Israel’s will be a huge event, 11:12-16
The full restoration of Israel will bring untold to the world, 11:12
As the apostle to the Gentiles Paul hopes his mission provokes some to jealousy and , 11:13-14
The restoration of Israel will be like , 11:15
Paul argues from the part to the whole saying that God’s plan will be to eventually bring to a place of holiness, 11:16
Gentile Christians must not to be arrogant against unbelievers in Israel, 11:17-24
The illustration of the , 17-21
Branches broken off = of Israel, 17
Wild shoot grafted in = , 17
Olive tree = , 17
The root supports the branches = underlies NT revelation, 18
Stand fast through faith = don’t become and suppose what happened to Israel to the Gentiles, 19-21
God’s and demonstrated, 22
Severity – those who’ve
Kindness – to the
Condition – in God’s kindness
Warning – Gentiles can be .
Israel’s future revealed, 23-24
They can be .
Condition: turn from .
III. Israel will be saved, 11:25-32
Paul reveals a mystery, 11:25
Israel’s hardening is and .
Paul assure us that God will , 11:26-33
All Israel will be , 11:26-27
Isaiah 59:20-21
Israel is an enemy to the gospel but is by God, 11:28-29
God’s gifts and calling are , 11:29
God will to Jews and Gentiles, 11:30-32
IV. Conclusion: giving praise and glory to God, 11:33-36
Paul expresses at the ways and mind of God, 11:33
Paul tells us that none of us can to God, 11:34-35
God is the , , and of all things. All belongs to him.11:36
CONCLUSION
Paul has fully answered the question of whether he is anti-Jewish and whether his gospel contradicts God’s promises to Israel. Israel has not been rejected by God even though the majority of Israel has rejected Jesus and salvation by faith. God has opened the door to the Gentiles to further his purpose of bring all of Israel to faith. When that occurs, it will be a rich blessing to the world and will be like a nation which has come back from the dead. In the meantime, God extends mercy to all, Jews and Gentiles alike, who will put their faith in Jesus alone to save them and give them the gift of God’s righteousness.
APPLICATION
Believers must not stop for or for the of the Jewish people. They are objects of God’s special love and his promises. He longs to see them come to faith in his Son, Jesus.
Everyone, Jew or Gentile, must savingly in Jesus. None of us get a pass. None of us automatically receives God’s mercy. We must of our sin and call upon Jesus to save us, putting our in what he did on the cross as our only way of obtaining righteousness before God and eternal life.