June 8, 2020
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 50-52
New Testament Reading: Romans 11

Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree, do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast—you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware, because if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Romans 11:17-21

Many Jews in the first century did not believe.  Paul pictured them as branches broken off an olive tree.  But he saw an amazing thing taking place.  Other branches, the Gentiles, were grafted into the tree to share in the life of the tree. All the branches that remain, whether natural or grafted in, receives life and is sustained by the root.

Paul is once again reminding us of the major theme of his letter, salvation is a gift of God’s grace, which we receive by faith in Jesus Christ.  Everyone enters this relationship with God on the same basis, so there is no room for arrogance or feelings of racial or individual superiority.

It is a lack of faith which caused the unbelieving Jews to break fellowship with God and have their branch removed.  Paul tells us what is happening to Israel is all part of God’s plan, He is in control and He knows what He is doing.  This lack of faith is neither total nor final, it is merely partial and temporary. A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved. vv25b-26a

God is only using this turning away by Israel to allow time for the Gentiles to enter in.  He gives no indication of how long that time will be or how many Gentiles enter the kingdom. When the fullness of this present age has run its course, God will once again deal with the nation Israel. God doesn’t turn His back on His promises.  He made an unconditional, eternal covenant with Abraham (See Gen 17:3-8) and He intends to keep it.

Whenever we feel insecure in our relationship with God, we need to keep in mind the problem is with us and not with God.  First there is certainly no place in the Christian life for arrogance, our life in Christ is God’s gift of grace.  Second there is no reason for mistrust in the faithfulness of God.  He will not turn His back on us, and He will not forsake any of His promises to us.

Having contemplated God’s great plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles, all Paul could do was sing a hymn of praise. Only a God as wise as our God could take the fall of Israel and turn it into salvation for the world.  It was beyond Paul’s ability to understand or explain it, and left him to state, I don’t want you to be ignorant of this mystery v25a  No human being can fully know the mind of  the Lord, and the more we study His ways, the more awesome He becomes to us. All we can do is consider the greatness and faithfulness of God and, as Paul does, break into adoration.

Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? And who has ever given to God, that He should be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. vv33-36