IS GOD FED UP?
Romans 11:1-10
Israel's rejection of God's plan has caused Bible scholars to doubt they could ever be restored.
According to them, Israel missed their chance and won't be given another.
Until 50 years ago, there was little reason to believe Israel could ever be reborn.
God’s promise to Israel hasn’t changed: Israel will enjoy God's blessing when they stop trying to do it themselves and start trusting Him!
Rom 9: PAST: They lost it because they thought they had it made–they thought they could do it themselves.
Rom 10: PRESENT: They are still lost because they'd rather do it themselves
They had 2 misconceptions about their position as God’s people:
It wasn’t because of their heritage–because they were Abraham’s children.
It wasn’t because of their merit–because of their works– because they were good enough
They were God’s people because of His choice and His grace.
Israel’s misconceptions are similar to modern misconceptions: people still think we’re pretty good: we still think we can “do it ourselves”–just like Israel did!
PAUL’S BURNING QUESTION: –outgrowth of Israel’s condition as depicted in 9-10
Based on Israel’s past rejection of God’s mercy 9
Based on Israel’s present rejection of God’s provision 10
Logical question raised in response:
We could assume God would reject Jews forever, after such serious unbelief. 11:1a
“HAS GOD DRIVEN AWAY (BANISHED) HIS PEOPLE?”
Has He rejected them forever? Are they finished?
Have they “had it?” Is God through with them?
GOD HAS NOT DRIVEN AWAY HIS PEOPLE! 11:1-6
1a [ Emphatic summary answer to the question: “NO WAY!” ]
God has definitely not rejected them forever!
God saved ME! 1b Answer based on Paul's experience
Clearest evidence: his own story!
He is an authentic Israelite with all the right credentials.
In his zeal to fulfill Pharisaic traditions he persecuted God's people.
He wanted to destroy the work God had established.
He was identified with same beliefs his people were following.
If God had abandoned Israel, he would certainly have rejected him
God loved him enough to confront him and change his life; shows He still has plan for Israel.
Ans.: No! God hasn't left us. He saved me.
God has preserved a remnant 2-6
2a Repeats summary answer:
God hasn’t rejected people He knew in advance
He knew all about them–inside and out–before He ever called them.
Deut.: “Don’t say in your heart that I chose you because you are righteous!”
He knew them all along!
Their response didn’t take God by surprise!
Biblical concept of God’s “foreknowledge” is much deeper than our idea of knowledge–He doesn’t just know about them.
Amos says that Israel is the only nation God has “known”. (3:2)
=> They enjoy a unique relationship with Him.
It’s the word used in Scripture for intimate sexual contact: “Adam knew his wife.”
With Israel, and us: God has been intimately involved in our lives from the beginning!
8:29: “Whom God foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
He’s not going to turn on us and drive us away now! That’s true of Israel too!
God is going to finish what He started!–He’ll fulfill His purpose for Israel!
Phil 1:6 promise TO US based on God’s faithfulness: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! He’ll finish what He started!
–nothing they can do will turn Him against His people! [nothing WE can do either!]
In spite of appearances, God preserved a remnant in Elijah’s day 2b-4
Israel had turned away from God 3a
Based on what he could see, Elijah felt like he was all alone. 3b
Elijah saw no hope.
From external perspective, he evaluated correctly.
They killed God’s prophets and destroyed His altars.
The nation deserved to pay consequences of their rebellion (Deut. 28).
Elijah made one mistake: He thought no one remained faithful.
God revealed 7000 who hadn’t worshiped Baal! 4
7000 faithful, hadn’t bowed to Baal —Always a remnant.
[ Answer for today: ]
In spite of appearances, God is preserving a remnant in our day 5-6
Israel’s present condition is similar to Elijah's time.
Israel has turned away from God.
Israel professes to be God's people—but their heart is far from Him.
Fall wasn’t total; there’s still a remnant that wants to obey God.
God has kept them on the basis of His grace. 5
4 times Paul mentions God’s grace: God has chosen a remnant by grace, . . . .
God has NOT kept them on the basis of their works 6
God is going to finish what He started!–He’ll fulfill His purpose for Israel by preserving a remnant among His people!But,. . .
GOD HAS HARDENED THE MAJORITY 7-10
Israel hasn’t succeeded in achieving their goal 7a
Rom 9 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.
Rom 10 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
Only those God has chosen achieve that goal 7b
Chosen found righteousness by faith, by God's grace; majority sought to establish their own–by works–and didn’t find it!
The majority are hardened 7c-10 Fulfills O.T. prophecy: 7c-8
Both Moses and Isaiah spoke about this condition:
Moses’ prophecy concerning them has been fulfilled 7c-8
Deut. 29:1-6
Isaiah picks up Moses’ warning and reaffirms it in his day:
Isaiah’s prophecy concerning them has been fulfilled 7c-8
Is. 29:9-14 God has blinded them to the truth.
David’s prayer concerning God’s enemies has been answered 9-10
Ps. 69:19-28 (22-23)
David asked God to judge his enemies, who opposed God's anointed one
Rejecting God's representative, they were rejecting God Himself.
Paul’s generation, like our own, committed the same offense.
By rejecting God's anointed, Jesus, the Christ, they’re opposing God.
They fall into the same trap–same prayer applies!
WHAT DOES PAUL’S MESSAGE TEACH US concerning our own day?
Is this just interesting history about the past? Or is he talking to us?
1. God still isn’t finished with Israel!
They may still reject God’s good news, but He hasn’t driven them out forever.
2. If religious people didn’t want to hear God’s good news then, why are we surprised when people don’t want to listen today?
3. The only hope we have that anyone will listen is that God still draws people to Himself. => “Pray for two!”
4. The only way anyone EVER comes to God is on the basis of His grace–NOT our works!
Question Paul addresses isn’t any different than the modern issue of our SECURITY.
How big a sin is big enough to lose our salvation?
Can we lose it by murdering someone?
Can we lose it by telling a lie?
Can we lose it by committing adultery?
Can we lose it by looking at a beautiful woman/hunk and desiring them?
Can we lose it by robbing a bank? By stealing paper clips from work?
Can we lose it by cheating on a test?
How big a sin is big enough to lose our salvation?
If we’ve done some of these things, will God “banish” us?
No! God knew all about us before He ever called us!
He called us on the basis of HIS GRACE–NOT OUR WORKS!
It doesn’t matter what we’ve done–past, present, or future–we’re saved on the basis of Christ’s finished work on the cross–on the basis of God’s grace–NOT our works!
THAT’S GOOD NEWS!