Romans 11 - Israel Rejection

 Romans 11 - Israel Rejection

1. 2. Scripture Reading Romans 11:1-6 “Elijah, how he pleads” Image 1
2. 3. The word foreknew found in verse 2a is translated from the Greek word “proginosko” We see Paul using the word progisnosko, G4267 (foreknew) two other times in Romans (Romans 8:29 and 8:30). Use of the word foreknew used in verse 2 is in reference to Gods knowledge: "a foreknowledge" (akin to A.), is used only of Divine "foreknowledge," Act 2:23; 1Pe 1:2. "Foreknowledge" is one aspect of omniscience; it is implied in God's warnings, promises and predictions. See Act 15:18. God's "foreknowledge" involves His electing grace, but this does not preclude human will. He "foreknows" the exercise of faith which brings salvation.” see, e.g., Gal 1:16; Eph 1:5, 11.” (Vines expository dictionary) In verse 3, Paul quotes from 1Kings 19:10,14 in telling how Elijah condemned Israel for their treatment of God’s prophets and His alters, but what does Paul mean by this quote?
3. 4.  4 In 1st Samuel 9, we read how the people of Israel rejected God as their king and chose Saul, a fallible human. This rejection resulted in wars and unrest in the land. Paul quotes 1st Samuel 9 to show that God did not cast Israel aside for their rejection of Him. “The new Christian church is shown God as long-suffering towards His children. Later in history, the Jews rejected God once again. Jesus was rejected as Messiah and lawful ruler of Israel. And yet God still has not cast them aside.”1 However, God allows those who are disobedient, to suffer the consequences of their disobedience, but never stops loving His chosen. God’s plan is not one of exclusion, but rather inclusion. God’s plan of redemption, is extended to all who will accept it. And yet still a mystery to us is God’s omnipotence. God knows who will accept His gift of salvation, and who will not. 1. The HCSB Translation Team, Blum, Edwin, Howard, Jeremy Royal & Holman Bible Staff (2010). HCSB Study Bible. B&H Publishing Group.
4. 5.  In verse 4 quote, God answered Elijah, saying I have already chosen my remnant. Elijah’s pleading prayer was answered before Elijah prayed his prayer. Matthew 6:8 tells us our Father knows our needs before we ask (Mat 6:8). The word remnant is used in verse 5. Is the remnant the Jews, Gentiles, or both? Jamieson, Fauset, and Brown (1871) write the following, concerning God’s election of the Jew: “This establishes our view of the argument on Election in Romans 9:1-29 , as not being an election of Gentiles in the place of Jews, and merely to religious advantages, but a sovereign choice of some of Israel itself, from among others, to believe and be saved.” The election of God is of both Jew and Gentile. “Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved (Rom 9:27).”
5. 6.  Not all Jews will be saved, nor will all Gentiles be saved either. Salvation is offered to all. However, only those who have accepted Jesus as their savior are accepted into the family of God. Paul explains in verse 6 that grace has superseded the works required by the Law of Moses. Grace is a gift, which cannot be earned through works. Therefore, where the Law which was of works, now is by grace, given through the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus.
6. 7. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 7-10 10/17/2019 foot notes 7 David says: “…Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. 
7. 8. Referencing verse 7, what does Israel seek? Throughout Israel’s history, they sought a Messiah (the promised deliverer). However when their deliverer came to them, they did not recognize Him. The Jews were expecting an avenger, not the Lamb of God. The Jews were expecting a physical delivery from Roman oppression and did not see spiritual deliverance from sin which they had rejected. However, a relatively small number of people, both Jew and Gentile elected to accept Jesus as their Messiah. We live in the church age, the age of election. We now live in what most Christians call the church age, but, what is the church age? The church age is that period beginning with Pentecost and continuing until Jesus comes again to collect His bride. During this time, many will elect to accept Jesus but many more will reject the Lord.
8. 9.  In verses 8 and 9, Paul quotes Isaiah 29:10 and Psalms 69:22,23 respectfully. Paul used cited quotations to show how the Jews were blinded (V7), making Jesus a stumbling block to them. In Greek the word slumber or stupor is katanyxis. Vines dictionary defines this word as "G2659 - “Stupor: "a pricking" (akin to katanusso, "to strike" or "prick violently," Act 2:37), is used in Rom 11:8, RV, "stupor" (AV, "slumber"). It is suggested that this meaning arose from the influence of the verb katanustazo, "to nod" or "fall asleep" (Field, Notes on the Translation of the NT). Evidently what is signified is the dulling of the spiritual sense. In the Sept., Psa 60:3; Isa 29:10.”(Vine, W., 1996) The dulling of the senses (sight and sound) is like a state of slumber or unawareness. Many will remain in a state of unawareness, while a relative few (a remnant) will be awakened, by their election of salvation and justification through Jesus the Christ. We are in the church age. The church age is from the commissioning of the apostles to the present time. During the church age that those destined (pre- known to God) to be children of God, have or will elect to accept Jesus as Messiah.
9. 10. 10/17/2019 foot notes 10 At the end of the church age there will be a gathering of the church (1Thes 4:13-18) Artist and copy write unknown
10. 11. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 11-15 10/17/2019 foot notes 11 “I speak to you Gentiles”
11. 12. 10/17/2019 foot notes 12 Referencing verse 11; what significance does the word “stumbled” have in this context? Generally to stumble is to lose one’s balance to the point of nearly falling. The word stumble was translated from the Greek verb “pipto” G4098 (Strongs). Pipto means to down or fail. Having established what is meant by “stumbled” who is Paul referring to? Paul is talking about the Jews, who rejected Jesus as their king, and Messiah. They stumbled over Jesus being the called the Son of God thereby making him God. They stumbled over Jesus because of God’s command to “have no other god before me (Exo 20:23).” Not all Jews stumbled on account of Jesus. Paul gathered the remnant of Jews who accepted Jesus as the Son of God.
12. 13.  Why was Israel’s stumble so important? “The future reception of Jews by God will result in world blessing. If their unbelief brought riches to the Gentiles, their future faith in Jesus as Messiah will enrich the world (cp. Isa 2:2-4)(Holman Bible staff) .” The diminishing of Israel refers to God’s focus shifting towards the Gentile. The riches brought to the Gentiles was the opportunity to be adopted into the family of God through Christ Jesus, God’s holy sacrifice rejected by Israel. The riches therefore, brought to the world by Israel is Christ Jesus, predestined to be the salvation of all mankind. What is the fullness of Israel? During the church age, only a relatively small group of Jews will have their eyes opened. The fullness of the Jewish nation will come out of the those Jews saved during the tribulation period (Rev 12:6 NKV).
13. 14.  Although Paul is writing to the church, he makes a point to single out the Gentiles in v13. When Paul says he magnifies his office, he is not blowing his own horn. Paul is stressing the importance of his commission to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Because the Jews rejected Christ Jesus, Paul was commissioned to bring the redemptive message of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. Paul continues in verse 14 to explain that if by his commission to the Gentiles does not exclude his brethren. Rather, Paul hopes jealously will cause more of his brethren to seek the gospel. “"to provoke to jealousy" (para, "beside," used intensively, and No. 1), is found in Rom 10:19; 11:11, of God's dealings with Israel through his merciful dealings with Gentiles; in Rom 11:14, RV, "I may provoke to jealousy" (AV, "... emulation") of the Apostle's evangelical ministry to Gentiles with a view to stirring his fellow nationals to a sense of their need and responsibilities regarding the Gospel; in 1Cr 10:22, of the provocation of God on the part of believers who compromise their Divine relationship by partaking of the table of demons; in Gal 5:20, of the works of the flesh (Vines expository dictionary).”
14. 15.  In verse 1 Paul denies the notion that his Jewish brethren were cast away by God. Is Paul contradicting himself in verse 15? Paul is not contradicting himself; no he is using deductive reasoning in this verse. The Jews were not cast away by God but instead, God was now working with the Gentiles through Paul. God will once again deal with the Jew when the fullness of the church is realized. God primarily deals with Gentiles God still dealing with the Jew Tribulation Jew & Gentile
15. 16. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 16-18 
16. 17. Why is the phrase “first fruits” called holy? Taking a closer look at the phrase “first fruits.” Although written in the plural form the phase comes from the Greek word aparchē pronounced ä-pär-khā‘, which was always written in the singular form. The first fruit is the first to ripen, considered to be the best. The first fruit is to be offered to God (Lev 23:10-14) The first fruits (or the best) were to be a wave offering before God, followed by the sacrifice of the firstling unblemished lamb. The first fruit, therefore, has spiritual significance. As the first fruit was offered as the best so to God, gave His best, his only Son, who offered Himself on Calvary. Therefore Jesus is referred to as the “First Fruits” and also the Lamb of God, who was offered up to God the Father for the forgiveness of sin. Thereby Fulfilling the Law as written by God in Lev 23:10- 14.
17. 18.  In verse 16 Paul uses allegory to show the relationship of Israel to God, and the Gentiles to God. Homan describes the relationship spoken of in verse 16 as: “ The olive tree was a symbol of the nation of Israel. It was used in this section by Paul as an illustration or allegory of God's dealings with Jews and Gentiles. The root of the tree represents Israel’s patriarchs’. The Gentiles are a wild graft. Pruned off branches are the unbelieving Jews (Holman Bible Staff & Howard, Jeremy Royal (2010)).” The olive tree is feed from its roots which Paul likens to the Jewish patriarchs who were called, righteous or holy by God (Rom 4:3 NKJV). Because the root feeds the plant (lump), the plant is holy. Israel was elected to be a holy nation, selected by God to be His priests to the world.
18. 19. Through Paul’s ministry, the Gentiles who are likened to a wild olive tree were grafted into the original olive tree. The old branches which are unproductive unbelieving Jews were cut off or pruned. The remaining branches are the believing Jews saved by grace, and made holy. In verses, 17-18 Paul gives a word of caution to the proselytes. Paul is telling them that they are being fed by the same roots that fed the original olive tree (Israel). Therefore they should guard against feeling superior to those who proceeded them. Remember their roots and that it is because of the root they grow. What then of our Christian roots are they not also supported by the roots tracing back in Jewish history. Christ Jesus was a Jew. Where would our salvation come from if not from Jesus a Jew. Therefore any boasting that we should do is of Jesus and His redemptive sacrifice.
19. 20. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 19-24  20 What then is the Gentile’s relationship with the Jew? 
20. 21. Must some branches/Jews be cast aside to make room for Grafted/Gentiles? The branches, or unbelieving Jews, were cast aside for the health of the tree, or for the sake of the body of believers (vv. 19,20). Nonproductive outgrowths (branches) which are subject to disease, must be pruned to insure the health of the tree and to ensure fruitfulness (see also John 15:1-2 NKJV). Along with news of the opportunity to be grafted into the family of God comes a warning. “Do not be haughty” or think you are better than those who have been pruned (V20). God prunes all, Jew or Gentile, who are unfruitful because of their disbelief (V21). In verse 22, Paul tells us that to be pruned does not necessarily mean destroyed. Those who repent and believe they too can be restored as a grafted members of the body. In verse 23, Paul states that God is able to graft, and in verse 24 Those who are grafted from their natural Adamic nature will now be fruitful as part of the family of God (cultivated olive tree).
21. 22. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 25-27  22 “The Deliverer will come out of Zion” 
22. 23.  What mystery is Paul talking about in v. 25? The mystery Paul is speaking of was not because of Israel lack of intelligence; rather, God caused Israel not to see their Messiah. God caused the Messiah blindness to enable the gospel of Christ to be preached to the Gentile. The word mystery is translated from the Greek word mystērion (G3466), meaning a hidden thing (Strong's Greek Lexicon (NKJV). The hidden thing is that it was God’s plan that not all the Jews would believe Jesus was the promised Messiah. Paul reveals in 1Cor 2: 7-10 why God kept the revelation of the mystery concerning Jesus from the Jews. Had the Jews known, Jesus would not have been crucified. And if not crucified, then there would be no atonement for sin, and if there were no atonement, there would be no justification, and we (Gentiles) would be lost for all eternity. In short, it was God’s perfect plan, that was played out.
23. 24. 25.  What constitutes the fullness of time for the Gentiles? The fullness of time for the Gentiles marks the end of the church age, which will occur when the last person hears of and submits to the Lord Jesus, as their savior. At this time, the church will be removed from the earth (1 Thes 4:17). God, will once again deal directly with Israel, as the beast will deceive Israel, and then to crush those that remain in Israel. Paul quotes Isaiah, in verse 26-27. The New King James Version is a more understandable version of the quoted verse. 20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion1, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob2," Says the LORD. 21 "As for Me," says the LORD, "this [is] My covenant with them: My Spirit who [is] upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore." 1 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that [is], the City of David).[2Sa 5:7 NKJV] 2. Jacob is the father of the 12 trips and therefore is often used in place of the name Israel
24. 26. This prophetic passage, is about a time yet to come, a time when the predestined (pre- known) number of Gentiles has been realized. As of the writing of this letter, only a relatively small number of Hebrews, had embraced Christ Jesus. However there will come a time when many, but not all Hebrews will come to know Jesus as their deliverer. Israel, in this text, does not mean the entire nation. Instead, it means those Hebrews of the nation whose eyes would be opened to the truth of the gospel (V26)3. Because God has made a covenant with Israel as quoted from Isaiah 59:21a, Israel’s future is assured. Holman writes: “Israel's vocation and gifts are irrevocable, so their future salvation is certain4.” 3,4 
25. 27. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 28-32  27 “For as you were once disobedient to God, …” (Romans 11:30) 
26. 28. Who are the enemies Paul is speaking of in verse 28? Referring back to Romans 11:11 Paul is speaking of the those Jews who rejected Christ Jesus. Who is Paul talking about in verse 28-31? Paul is still speaking directly to the converted Gentiles in the church. Paul was telling them they too were once as sinful. But because of Israel’s fathers, namely Abraham and Jacob, the Hebrew nation is elected or chosen by God. Because they (Israel) have sinned in there disbelief and have not repented mercy and grace were given to the Gentiles. Because mercy was given to the Gentiles; God will show mercy and grace at the end times for Israel. God is sovereign and will show mercy to whom and when He wills.
27. 29. Scripture Reading Romans 11: 33-36  29 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33).

1. 30. Bibliography 
2. BLUM, EDWIN, THE HCSB TRANSLATION TEAM, HOLMAN BIBLE STAFF & HOWARD, JEREMY ROYAL (2010). HCSB STUDY BIBLE. B&H PUBLISHING GROUP. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://APP.WORDSEARCHBIBLE.COM. "G4267 - PROGINŌSKŌ - STRONG'S GREEK LEXICON (NKJV)." BLUE LETTER BIBLE. ACCESSED 16 AUG, 2019. HTTPS://WWW.BLUELETTERBIBLE.ORG//LANG/LEXICON/LEXICON.CFM?STRONGS =G4267&T=NKJV "Stupor - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 24 Jun, 1996. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfmhttps://www.bluel etterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2659&t=NKJV 10/17/2019 foot notes 30
3. 31. Image Credits Unless otherwise indicated in captions images are believed to be “creative common” IM 3 http://www.jubileeonlinechurch.org/if-the-root-is-holy-so-are-the-branches IM 5 https://beyondlove2010.blogspot.com/2012/03/parashat-ki-tisa-your-weekly-challah.html IM 6 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/299137600219904558 IM 7 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/299137600219904558 IM 8 http://es.slideshare.net/chucho1943/11-election-of-grace 10/17/2019 foot notes 31
4. 32. Notes 10/17/2019 foot notes 32