Romans 11: Israel and the Mystery of God

Romans 11 can be hard to understand at first glance, but it is actually an incredible picture of God's sovereign plans and purposes.  But before we look at Romans 11, we need to briefly look back at the end of Romans 10 where Paul talks about Israel rejecting God's plan for salvation.  They heard the teaching of the gospel but did not believe and therefore have the responsibility of having rejected God and His truth.

So has God then rejected His people (the nation of Israel) forever?  Paul asks this question in the first verse of chapter 11 and follows it up with this answer: By no means!  Paul, himself, is an Israelite and also a follower of Christ.  He also explains that just as in the days Elijah when there was a remnant of people who did not bow down to Baal, so in Paul's day there was a small remnant of Jews, chosen by grace, who embraced the teachings of Jesus.  And, it seems, God hardened the rest of the hearts of the Jews to be unable to hear and accept the truth.

This can be hard to read and think about.  This idea that God, in His sovereignty, could choose some by grace and harden the hearts of others.  But we see His plan for salvation at work in that by Israel rejecting the gospel, it was then preached to the Gentiles and spread throughout the world.  And in 11:11, Paul says that salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.  Could the hardening of Israel's hearts in the end be what saves them?  

We read in 11:25 that the hardening of their hearts is both partial and temporary.  It is only until "the full number of Gentiles has come in."  

"And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob.  And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.' "  Romans 11:26

How all of this will work, I don't know.  There are a lot of great commentaries out there with more insight and answers.  But we do know that salvation of the Jews will come the same way as it does to the Gentiles - through repentance and forgiveness of sins and faith in Jesus as the Messiah.   And we know that God is faithful to fulfill all that He has promised, "for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable."  (11:29).  God will never change His mind on raising up and preserving Israel for a special purpose and role in history and He will forever be faithful to His promises to them.

And then, my favorite part of this chapter, after struggling through the theological implications of Israel's hardening and God's sovereign plans, is verses 33-36.  

"Oh, the depth of the riches of both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For who has known the mind of the Lord or who became His counselor?  Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen."  Romans 11:33-36

I love that this is how Paul ends the chapter.  God is sovereign beyond our comprehension.  We can fully trust in Him even when we cannot understand Him.  Everything is from Him and through Him and brings glory to Him!  What peace and hope and promise are in this truth.