Two truths we should remember whenever we see larger numbers of Gentiles than Jews coming to faith in Jesus:
- God has an ongoing redemptive purpose in His dealings with both Jews and Gentiles (vv.11-16)
- Believing Gentiles should not be arrogant or think that Jews are now excluded from God’s redemptive plan (vv. 17-24)
The Olive Tree Illustration from Romans 11
- Trunk/tree = the one people of God receiving God’s covenant blessings in salvation
- Roots = God’s promise of blessing on the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
- Natural branches = the Jewish people, ethnically related to the patriarchs
- Broken off branches = unbelieving Jews
- Wild branches = Gentiles, not ethnically related to the patriarchs
- Grafted in wild branches = believing Gentiles