Mar 15, 2020
Originally Presented: May 25th, 2008
Scripture Reading: Romans 11:24-32
In Romans 11:24-32, Paul brings to an end the argument he has been making concerning the people of Israel in Romans 9-11. The theme of this section is the statement in Romans 9:6 that the word of God has not failed. The people of Israel were not, in general, being saved because:
(1) God has not promised to save all Jews in every generation, but only some whom He has chosen (Rom 9:11,16,18) and
(2) the Jews, in general, had rejected, and continues to reject, Jesus in unbelief (Rom 9:30-32).
For the present time, God has left Israel to her sins and thus He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts so the gospel might go to the Gentile world (Rom 11:8-11). But this divine hardening of Jewish hearts is neither total nor permanent. There is coming a day when God will lift the spiritual darkness from Jewish eyes and will give the people of Israel, as a corporate whole, a heart to believe in Jesus Christ. As a result, "all Israel will be saved" (Rom 11:25,26).
A grand statement of Paul, regarding the design and nature of God is found in Romans 11:29 - "The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable." What God promises and what He plans, He will do, and nothing will thwart His wondrous and holy designs. The ancient promises God made to Abraham and to His descendants will one day all come to pass and God's faithfulness and mercy will be displayed in the Jewish people for all eternity. No wonder Paul breaks out in a glorious doxology in the verses which follow today's text.