Read Romans 11
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11&version=NIV
11:1–36 Overview: The section of 11:1–36 shows the consequences for Gentiles as a result of Jewish disobedience and the promise of Israel’s future restoration. The discussion in Romans 10 may lead some to conclude that God is through with Israel. Paul responded to this idea with an emphatic no. Salvation issued from Israel’s rejection (11:11–24). But that is quite different from saying God had rejected his people (11:1). God’s inclusion of the Gentiles should not result in their pride (11:18, 25; 12:3, 16). And Paul goes on to show that Israel’s rejection is only partial (11:1–10) and temporary (11:25–32).
11:1–10 Note the key questions in 11:1, 11. Foreknowledge (11:2) equals certain salvation. The present remnant of believing Israel (11:5) confirms God’s faithfulness to his promises. Note the quotation of 1 Kings 19:18 in Romans 11:4. God had a remnant even in the dark days of Elijah (1 Kings 19:10, 18). In Romans 11:8–10 Paul quoted from Isaiah 29:10 and Psalm 69:22–23 to show that Israel’s rejection and spiritual blindness was predicted by Scripture.
11:11–32 In Romans 11:11–24 Paul revealed the good that came as a result of Israel’s rejection—the provision of salvation for the Gentiles. The first piece of dough (11:16; cf. Num. 15:17–21) and the root (cf. Rom. 9:5; 11:28) refer to Abraham and the patriarchs. The holiness attributed to the part is applied to the whole. Israel was consecrated by virtue of its patriarchal heritage; thus, its rejection was not final. The branches (11:17) represent Israel; the wild olive shoot, the Gentiles; and the root of fatness, the Abrahamic covenant—the source of blessing for Israel and all nations.
The promise of future restoration shows God’s equal mercy to Israel (11:25–32; also note 11:25–26, 29). Note 11:32 as the end of the presentation of the gospel. A divine “mystery” (11:25) is something hidden in the counsels of God, not accessible except as God is pleased to make it known. In Romans 11:26–27 Paul quoted from Isaiah 59:20–21 and perhaps Isaiah 27:9 to show that Israel would one day be saved and enjoy the benefits of the new covenant. Romans 11:32 is a restatement of all Paul tried to assert in Romans 1–3.
Discussion question
When God blesses someone else’s life, does that spur you on to seek God all the more, or does it leave you feeling on the short end of the stick? /why
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When God blesses someone else, I am happy for them. I have had many blessings and expect to have many more. Someone else's blessings do not make me short of anything.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to seek God regardless of the blessings received by others.
When God blesses someone else I rejoice because he has rewarded them for their faith and perhaps their prayers. It really does not affect me in terms of spurring me on or feeling short of anything because I really feel that God also blesses my life richly. Like Colene, I continue to seek God's blessings regardless of the blessings received by others. After all, God has endless blessings to go to all that believe in Him.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it depends on how my life is going at the moment?
ReplyDeleteRyan may be correct. But for the most part, I am happy for that person, and if close friend or relative, will thank God for their good fortune. Often it will make me think of blessings that me & my family have. Many blessings & think - wow, overall we are blessed.
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