190929 Has God Rejected Israel? (2)

Romans 11:25-27 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; ²⁷ “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

In this passage Paul continues to deal with the question, “Has God given up on Israel?” He begins with an attention-getting statement. He does not want his readers to be “ignorant” concerning the “mystery” they are confronted with. He has spoken to us about Pharaoh’s hardened heart which contributed to God being recognized around the world. Paul has told us about God’s ability to “have mercy on” whomever he chooses. After all, he is God! In the same way, a hardening has come on Israel, until the “fullness of the Gentiles” has come in.

I am sure there are many people who are positive they know what the fullness of the Gentiles means. I am not one of those people. I can think of at least three meanings. It could refer to a specific number of people coming to faith. Or, it could refer to a worldwide revival bringing many people to faith in Christ from every nation. Or, it could mean simply a positive outflow of the gospel before Jesus returns.

It will help us to look back at Paul’s own words. These words give us…

Israel redefined. Let’s read Romans 9:6-7. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

The adoption into God’s family for Jew and Gentile alike makes us part of one body. I can’t go along with those people who teach that there will be a restoration of Israel with a restored temple and animal sacrifices. The only sacrifice that counts now is that of Jesus. Once for all.

Physical descent from Abraham does not guarantee a place in the family of God. Abraham had several sons but God had affirmed to him that his offspring would be named through Isaac. Isaac was born as a result of Abraham believing God. He was the son of faith!

The Holy Spirit assures us today that we are children of the promise. Paul explained that to the Galatians by saying “we are not children of the slave but of the free woman” (Galatians 4:31). Before the end comes there will be a sweeping revival among the Jews. But it will not be a restoration of the synagogue. It will be an inclusion of the Jews into the family of God — the worldwide church! They will be grafted again into their own olive tree as the natural branches. We Gentiles are the wild branches grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Romans 11:24).

 Apparently, this will not happen…

Until the full number of Gentiles are complete. Look with me at what is to come. Rev 7:9-10 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

John, on the Isle of Patmos, saw what is to come. This comes closest to explaining, for me, what the “fullness of Gentiles” might mean. This vision came to John as part of events yet to come. If we will look ahead in Romans chapter 11 we will see that the Jews and Gentiles were enemies and it was for our sake that was true. The Gentiles were once isolated from the family of God but now they are brought to an equal position in God’s family. Verse 32 tells us that God has consigned all people to disobedience. That designation brings us all to the same place in relation to salvation. We are born separated from God in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Paul then saw that as the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge! What had been a mystery is now made clear in the common salvation of Jews and Gentiles.

You see…

The Redeemer will come. That promise came from Isaiah 59:19-20 So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. ²⁰ “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

At least 700 years before Christ was born Isaiah saw the Redeemer coming to Jerusalem to the people of God. We must remember that God chooses the best goals and the best path to those goals. It has always been God’s intention that all people have the possibility of salvation. God’s great plan of redemption is reflected in his wisdom. Isaiah saw both the coming destruction of the nation of Israel and also the coming restoration. We can look further back in the Old Testament story and see that the Redeemer would be…

The one who will bless all nations. The promise was made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Abraham is the first man in the Bible story who is called God’s friend! God promised Abraham that he would be blessed and those who bless him would be blessed as well. The person who curses the Jews will be cursed by God. We have certainly seen that promise fulfilled in my lifetime. The rise and fall of Nazi Germany is a clear example of how God cursed those who cursed him.

I believe that the USA has been blessed because of its blessing the Jews. Jesus ultimately is the one who would bless all avenues of the earth. It would be through a son of Abraham from the lineage of Isaac. God’s purpose is to reach out to all nations. There is no intention of destroying Abraham’s descendants. Instead there is every intention of bringing all mankind together under Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Ephesians tells us that God brings the Gentiles near, by the blood of Christ, breaking down the wall of division and creating one new man.

Not doing away with any race but instead bringing them together under Abraham.

Bringing the Gentiles to Abraham’s family. Let’s look at Ephesians 2:14-16. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul tells us that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace. God’s peace means that in God himself and in all his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder. He is involved in an amazing number of well-ordered activities simultaneously. He has killed the hostility in the body of Christ on the cross. Paul is amazed at the mystery being revealed. That mystery is like a great symphony hiding God’s plan and is beyond our ability to understand.

We are left with the question…

What about the Jews? Let’s go back to Romans 11:28-29. As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

From the very beginning, Jews reflected animosity to the gospel. This makes them appear to be enemies of the believing Gentiles. God is often identified as the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. There is no doubt that God has a plan that includes these chosen people. That plan does not include a nation of people who are saved as result of their ancestry separate from the church. God’s plan of election brings them into the new family of God. Jews and Gentiles alike are linked together in one body. Branches grafted into a trunk of faith by God’s grace. Their animosity to the gospel has opened the door to the Gentiles — and that’s us!

Recall, everywhere Paul went, on his missionary journeys, he went to the synagogue first then, when they refused to hear the gospel, he turned to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48).

In the meantime, God has always been in charge. Now we come to Paul’s great benediction found in Romans 11:33-36. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

In the Ephesian letter, Paul tells us that the mystery — hidden for ages in God — is that through the church the many-faceted wisdom of God is now made known throughout the creation. God’s purpose is not just to have outward obedience. He wants our heart, mind, and soul. Arriving at such commitment to God is not something that happens suddenly. Such a commitment is a process. Day by day we grow closer to God. We have a responsibility to root out our wrong ideas and values. We do this by meditating on his word day and night. We need to be able to clearly say who we are.

I wish I had the video from the movie “Overcomer”. In it, the young lady, Hannah, told coach Harrison, “Ask me who I am?” When he does she responded to the question like this:

“I am created by God. He designed me. So I’m not a mistake. His son died for me just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be his own so I’m chosen! He redeemed me! So I am wanted. He showed me grace just so I could be saved. He has a future for me because he loves me! So I don’t wonder anymore, Coach Harrison. I am a child of God. I just wanted you to know.” And she turned and walked away.

Such a powerful movie should be seen by everyone. Too bad so many people simply won’t watch it to their personal loss!

God has not failed Israel as a nation, even though Israel was, and is, rejected by him, for God has always worked through the principle of election. He is the potter, and fallen humanity is the clay. Israel, however, is responsible to accept the simple gospel by which God lovingly stretches out his hands to sinners. But they were hardened, so the gospel went out to the Gentiles. However, one day, the blessing is going to return to Israel and there will be a great national repentance. Paul experienced a sense of wonder at a God who can so work in history. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33a) Everyone comes to God the same way! We are able to appropriate God’s grace through faith. There are no good works that can bring us to salvation. Have you trusted him? If not, will you today?

All scriptures quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton, Ill, Standard Bible Society.