January 27, 2014
THE LITTLE BROTHER WHO COULD NOT, BUT DID ANYWAY!
Romans 11:25-36
Cody Bateman
Central Truth
In spite of our disobedience, God still gives us everything through His Son, Jesus.
Key Verse | Romans 11:30–31
For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. (Romans 11:30-31)
Romans 11:25-36
The Mystery of Israel's Salvation
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: 1 11:25 Or brothers and sisters 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.”
28 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. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now 2 11:31 Some manuscripts omit now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 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.
Dive Deeper | Romans 11:25-36
I grew up as the youngest of three. I have two older sisters, and I'm often referred to as the "baby." During my younger years, our house was generally a hangout place for all of my sisters' friends. I can remember countless times when I would violate my bedtime curfew just so I could go hang out with all of the older kids and play some basketball. Things would be just fine until I would think I was some three-foot-six Michael Jordan, and I would start bragging about how I was not in bed like I was supposed to be. As soon as that started happening, one of my sisters would turn me in to Mom and Dad, and most of the time I had to fast-break my way to a lay-up in my bed. But the times I remember the most are those when I got to stay out and enjoy the time that was promised to both of my sisters, even though I disobeyed my parents.
In Romans 11:25-36 we see the same thing. Paul tells us that "a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (verse 25b). God's chosen people, Israel, rejected Jesus; and through Jesus' death and resurrection, God shares His love with "everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). We call this the "Church Age," the time before Jesus returns. Eventually, ethnic Israel will see His true nature, and many will believe.
For Christians, these verses are particularly important because it is very easy to become proud that we are presently the special objects of God's favor and mercy. We must remember that God chose Israel, and His call is irrevocable (verse 29). Yet through Israel, God blesses all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). How rich God is with mercy and love to make that promise to someone else, and despite our disobedience, He still extends that invitation of salvation to us through His Son. "How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (verse 33b).
Discussion Questions
1. How would you describe God's love for you?
2. Why do you think it is important for us to know the history of Israel at the time Paul wrote this?
3. What verses remind you of God's goodness?
4. What can you do to remind yourself of God's goodness during times of disobedience?