Lesson 136

Romans Chapter Eleven

The Faithfulness of God

Israel’s Future

Introduction:

What is the theme of ch-11?

The theme is embodied in the question raised in vs:1.

Has God scratched Israel from His program/plan? Not at all!

- Is God through with the nation Israel?

- Or will there be a restoration of Israel?

You need to know that there is a group out there that says NO! Israel is out, is rejected, disowned by God and all the promises made to Israel will be fulfilled in the church.

- Look at Isa. 11:6-9

- So, not talking here about the saved remnant, will get to them, but to the people of Israel as a whole, who are predominantly disobedient and obstinate.

I say therefore in the light of vs:21 that God has not rejected His people has He?

The question demands a negative answer in and of itself;

- Paul's response here is consistent with believing that what God said is what God meant and what God is going to do!

1 Sam 12:22; Psa. 94:14; Lam. 3:31;

- So to summarize we have 3 primary ways the promises are handled:

#1 All the promises will be completely fulfilled in Israel.

Not being seen today, still in the times of the Gentiles, but will be, all in God's timing.

#2 All the promises are canceled; because of Israel's rejection of and rebellion against God.

#3 Are those who don't want to agree with either #1 or #2 so they say they are fulfilled in the church today.

- this stretches credulity to make the O.T. passages in anyway apply to the Church!

The content of Rom. 11. - an overview

- In Rom. 11:1-10 Paul's argument is that Israel's rejection is not total but partial.

- Paul gives some examples to make his point;

1. first he says look at me I'm one! vs:1

2. Look at the situation with Elijah 11:2-4

3. Then says look at believing Jews in his own day, ie. C/A. 11:5-6.

- In vs:7-10 we have a statement of judicial blindness for their rejection of God; as we will find it is not permanent but temporary.

- This we find in the next section, 11:11-24;

- In 11:25-36 see the final restoration of Israel; God's people Israel respond at the end of the Tribulation just as Zechariah prophesied in 12:10.

- God's covenant that He made with Israel will be kept 11:25-29; look at vs:26-27

- God's mercy will be manifested 11:30-32.

- God's glory in future will be magnified 11:33-36 look at vs:36.

The problem of Rom. 11.

- The problem involves the tension raised between two things, two things that don't appear to jive, don't compute.

- These 2 facts, God choose Israel, and Israel rejected God raises 2 questions;

#1 Will Israel's sin defeat the choice of God?

ch-9 makes it very clear that it was God's sovereign choice of Israel for His own glory!

Is their sin going to ruin it?

#2 Will God find a way to deal with the situation so that His purposes are safe guarded?

Will God find a solution so that His choice will be safe guarded?

Is it possible that Israel won?

And God's program and purpose is now blown?

Romans 11:1 - The Question is Raised

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

- There is a parable which Jesus Himself told which says, they have rejected the servants of God (the prophets), but now they have rejected the Son (Matthew 21:33-46).

- It seems most likely that believing Gentiles would be the ones to raise this question.

After all, if God does not literally keep the unconditional promises He has made to the Jews, how can we be assured He will keep His promises to us?

If God had truly rejected Israel, then the Gentiles would be their replacement. The Gentiles and the church would replace the Jews.

God's purpose was much broader, including both Jews and Gentiles as Paul emphasizes in this chapter.

Look at the words once more with the emphasis I have given to them:

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He?

Who is the focus? God is the center of attention.

Israel's future does not depend on her, but upon God. It is not Israel's failure which is paramount, but God's faithfulness.

(1 Samuel 12:22)

Paul's response, the emphatic negative "May it never be!" is a reflection of two things.

- First, it expresses Paul's strong reaction to the mere possibility that God might fail to fulfill His promises

- Second, it expresses Paul's strong reaction also as a Jew. Notice that he refers to himself here as an Israelite;

- Paul's reaction is equally appropriate for any Gentile believer.

If God fails to fulfill His promises to the Jews, how can any Gentile, any believer of the Church age feel secure about the promises God has made to them?