Israel's Rejection is Temporary - Part 2 (Romans 11;1-10)
ISRAEL’S REJECTION IS TEMPORARY – PART 2
INTRODUCTION:
Last week we began Romans 11, in this chapter Paul wants us to understand that Israel as a nation has a future in God’s eternal plan of redemption. God has temporarily and partially set her aside as a nation for a time, during this time which is called the dispensation of grace or age of the church, but God is not finished with Israel as a nation yet. There are some unconditional promises that God made to the nation of Israel that still need to be fulfilled and God in His faithfulness and trustworthiness will fulfill them in the future.
Last Sunday Paul began building his case that God has not cast off or thrust away from Himself Israel completely and permanently. He showed that even during this time when they are set aside nationally God is working with individuals within the nation. Paul began by using himself as a living example that God was saving Jewish people when they put their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul then showed that throughout the history of the nation of Israel God has always preserved for Himself a remnant of believing Jews. He used the example of Elijah when he thought he was the only believer left in Israel and God revealed to him that He had 7000 Israelites that had not bowed the knee to Baal but were faithful to God. We looked at other times in the history of Israel and there was always a remnant of faithful Jews and we learned that from the inception of the church at Pentecost until Jesus Christ returns to reign over Israel and fulfill all His promises to her there will always be a remnant of believing Jews in the church. Ministries like Jews for Jesus are committed to evangelizing Jewish people, sharing with them the Good News that Jesus Christ is their Messiah and Savior. God has not rejected those Jewish people whom He foreknew and graciously chose to be His remnant in this time leading up to His return. This is where we left off at last week, at the end of verse five were we spoke of the election of grace, that God sovereignly and graciously chose those who would believe and predestined them to be His children. This election was not because of their spiritual worthiness, or because of something they had done or would do or because they were descendants of Abraham, they were chosen according to God’s sovereign election, His gracious choice. In eternity past before the foundation of the world God graciously predetermined His choice of those who were physical descendants of Abraham and those who were not Abraham’s physical descendants to be His spiritual descendants, to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This morning we will learn that this is by grace alone and then look at the revelation of those who hardened themselves to God’s grace, and are then judicially hardened by God. Let’s pray and then get into our passage of Scripture.
SCRIPTURE:
Turn in your Bibles again this morning to Romans 11:1-10, I am going to read the whole passage again to pick up the context. This morning we will be focusing mainly on verses 6-10, but I will first look at verse 5 again shortly to tie this all together. Please stand if you are able in honor of the reading of the Word of God.
Romans 11:1-10,
“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.’ But what is the divine response to him? ‘I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.’ And David says, ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ‘Let their eyes be darkened to see not, And bend their backs forever.’” (Romans 11:1–10, NASB95)[1]
A REMNANT CHOSEN BY GRACE (Romans 11:5-7a)
Last week we closed by talking about the godly remnant of Jews that God has preserved throughout the history of the nation of Israel. From the day that Abraham was called by God to leave his country and go to a place that God would show him, where God would make him into a great nation, from that time until the present time there has always been a godly remnant of Jews. Not only that, but there will continue to be a godly remnant until Jesus Christ returns to set up His earthly kingdom and to reign on David’s throne over Israel and the world. As I said last Sunday, this remnant is according to God’s gracious choice. This phrase “gracious choice” as I said last week could be translated “election of grace” which is how the King James Version translates it. Just as all believers are graciously chosen according to God’s sovereign election before the foundation of the world, so also this godly remnant of the descendants of Abraham was sovereignly elected by God’s gracious and predetermined choice to become His spiritual descendants. No one, including this godly remnant is chosen because of their spiritual worthiness, or because of something they have done or will do, but simply because this was God’s gracious and predetermined choice in eternity past before the foundation of the world. Paul who was a part of this chosen or elect remnant of Israel in his day said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8-9, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” (2 Timothy 1:8–9, NASB95)[2]
Paul throughout the book of Romans that we have looked at so far has contrasted righteousness by grace with righteousness by works and has shown us over and over that the righteousness that is acceptable to God is the righteousness that He offers by grace, a righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. As Nathan read in our Scripture reading this morning in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8–10, NASB95)[3] Salvation, being declared righteous before God is by grace, God’s grace through faith alone. The works come after we are declared righteousness, after we are created new in Christ Jesus. So after declaring that this godly remnant is by God’s gracious choice, Paul then reiterates that it is by grace, not works by stating in verse 6, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Romans 11:6, NASB95)[4] It never was on the basis of works, this might be better translated, “it is no longer of works, or because of works.” If the righteousness that God demands could be obtained by works, then what would be the purpose of grace, as Paul says, “otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Romans 11:6b, NASB95)[5] What exactly is grace? Grace is God’s undeserved, unearned favor to sinners, in this case offering us salvation and righteousness which we do not deserve and have not earned, instead of God’s wrath and judgment which we do deserve and have earned.
Paul then sums up this section on this godly remnant that God has graciously chosen and preserved for Himself. Paul writes in the beginning of verse 7, “What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it…” (Romans 11:7a, NASB95)[6] His reference to Israel here refers to the nation as a whole, not individuals. This phrase “is seeking” is a phrase in Greek which means to seek after something diligently, to desire it. Paul had already informed us in chapter 10 that the Jews in his day were passionately religious, He wrote in Romans 10:2, “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” (Romans 10:2, NASB95)[7] They had a zeal for God but that zeal focused on their own righteousness by works rather than God’s true righteousness by grace through faith, because they did not have this knowledge because they chose to ignore it in their own self-righteousness, Paul says in Romans 10:3, “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3, NASB95)[8] What they were seeking in their own efforts and self-righteousness Paul says in chapter 11 they did not obtain, they did not obtain the righteousness that God demands that can only be obtained by grace through faith.
Paul adds that those Jews (here individuals) that were chosen graciously and sovereignly by God obtained it. How did they obtain it? By God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. God had predetermined before the foundation of the world that they would be conformed to the image of His Son, and He predestined them to be His children by grace through faith. These descendants of Abraham God foreknew and because He foreknew them He predestined them to become conformed to the image of His Son, and because He predestined them, He also called them, and because He called them, He also justified them, and because He justified them, He also glorified them. (Romans 8:29-30) All in the past tense because it was predetermined in eternity past by the sovereign and gracious choice of God. What about the rest, what happens to those who have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge? Those who are proud and arrogant in their self-righteousness and refuse to listen or believe? Their hearts have been hardened to God’s grace.
A JUDICIAL HARDENING (Romans 11:7b-10)
Paul writes, “but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened…” (Romans 11:7b, NASB95)[9] The third piece of evidence that Paul uses to prove that the setting aside of the nation of Israel by God is only partial and temporary is that God has hardened the hearts of those Jews who refuse to believe. This word translated “hardened” is in the passive in Greek which means this hardening was caused by an outside power, that outside power was God. Paul goes on to show us that this hardening was revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures, God’s revelation to the nation of Israel had predicted this hardening. In this first quote Paul takes some of it from Deuteronomy 29:4 and some from Isaiah 29:10, by doing this Paul shows that the Law and the prophets, the two main portions of the Jewish Scriptures agree and condemn Israel. Paul writes, “just as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.’” (Romans 11:8, NASB95)[10] By using a portion from Deuteronomy and a portion from Isaiah Paul shows that the Law and the prophets predicted God hardening hearts in His sovereignty and in His predetermined purpose. But when we speak of God hardening hearts we must understand that this hardening is not impulsive or erratic or unjust because God only hardens the hearts of those who in refusing and rejecting God’s gracious offer of righteousness, have already hardened themselves to His grace.
Remember that God judicially hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He might demonstrate His power in Pharaoh and so that His great name might be proclaimed through all the earth. Why was that a judicial hardening of Pharaoh’s heart? Because Pharaoh had knowingly and willingly hardened his own heart against God already and repeatedly. Several times in Exodus it speaks of Pharaoh hardening his own heart and several times it speaks of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. God’s judicial hardening of a man’s heart is never separate from man hardening his own heart for which man is held responsible.
Paul goes on with another quote from the Old Testament, a further revelation from God of His judicial hardening of hearts of those who had already hardened their hearts to His offer of grace. This time Paul quotes from David in the Psalms. Paul writes, “And David says, ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, And a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ‘Let their eyes be darkened to see not, And bend their backs forever.’” (Romans 11:9–10, NASB95)[11] This is from Psalm 69:22-23, this is what is called a messianic psalm and it is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament. It is a lament of the Messiah’s suffering and grief, and within it is a curse on God’s enemies that caused the suffering and grief, in this case Paul uses the curse upon the nation of Israel who crucified their Messiah.
Paul through the words of David begins by speaking of the table of those who were responsible for the Lord’s suffering and grief. The table speaks of a place of enjoyment, peace, safety, and sustenance. But David curses the table of those who rejected the Messiah and crucified Him. The table of the ungodly and self-righteous becomes a snare and a trap. God’s Word is often compared to food and the Jews viewed it as their daily sustenance, which it should be for each of us. But because of their rebellious unbelief, what should have led them to their Messiah and Savior, became for them a stumbling block and a retribution or a punishment for their wickedness.
Paul is speaking to the nation of Israel here, but this same thing happens in our world all the time, the very thing that we trust in to save us is the very thing that brings our destruction. Government, religion, self-help, etc. This is because there is only One who can save, there is only One who can make us righteous before God so that we can escape the wrath and punishment that we deserve for our sin. It is only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone that can assure us that we have escaped the judgment of sin because Jesus Christ took our punishment on Himself and paid the penalty required for sin, dying in our place, He was buried, and on the third day triumphed over the grave through His resurrection from the dead proving that sin was paid for and death was defeated.
Paul continues to quote from David concerning those who have hardened their hearts to God’s grace, as they are hardened “…their eyes are darkened to see not,” (Romans 11:10a, NASB95)[12] they become more spiritually blind to God’s grace. Because Israel refused to see the truth of God’s Word, refused to see the truth of righteousness by grace through faith alone God judicially confirmed their willing blindness. Paul ends David’s quote with, “…and bend their backs forever.” (Romans 11:10b, NASB95)[13] This phrase has two possible meanings, because they refused to receive God’s truth their backs will bent under the weight of guilt and punishment forever. This phrase could also refer back to the first part of the verse and have the meaning of the hunched over position of a blind person groping his way on a path that he cannot see, a path that eventually leads him to a destination that he did not seek, a place of judgment and punishment forever.
CONCLUSION:
As we will learn in the weeks to come, God’s hardening is not forever, but for a temporary time, a time in which He is working in the hearts of the individuals He has graciously and sovereignly chosen to be His own, His children who He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, then you are righteous in Him and you have been saved from God’s coming wrath and judgment against sin. Rejoice that God chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him.
For you who do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, do not harden your heart to His grace. His offer of grace is for you, you can receive His grace this morning by agreeing with God that you are a sinner and that you cannot make yourself right with God in any way, but you believe that Jesus Christ has made a way for you, that on the cross He suffered God’s wrath against sin on your behalf, that He paid the penalty for your sin, which is death, He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day, proving that sin was paid for and death was forever conquered. If you believe this putting your faith in Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven, and you are declared righteous before God. You begin a new life as God’s chosen child, and you will spend eternity in His presence enjoying Him forever. Make this decision today.
[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995 (emphasis added)
[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.